Rural women as livelihood fortresses amid climate change challenges in Chegutu Ward 7, Zimbabwe · Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author

Foyah, Linah

Title

Rural women as livelihood fortresses amid climate change challenges in Chegutu Ward 7, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Climate change and variability have remained a thorn in the flesh of all mankind, especially the third world countries. Climate change presents significant challenges to rural communities where reliance on natural resources and climate sensitive sectors such as agriculture is relatively high. Climate change is a global challenge for most people, but not equally. Women play a significant role in agricultural production and wellbeing for their households. Women are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change due to pre-existing gender inequalities and socio-economic vulnerabilities. This study therefore explored rural women as livelihood fortresses amid climate changes in Chegutu District, ward 7. The Study made an appreciation of the global, regional and national impacts of climate change and variability on rural women’s livelihood strategies. The study reveals that rural women demonstrate resilience amid climate change, acting as fortresses of livelihood sustainability. The basic livelihood strategies for women in Chegutu district, ward 7 were also discussed and how these are differently impacted by various climate change related shocks. The research employed a case study design with the use of questionnaires, key informant and rural women’s interviews and observations as research instruments. The research findings shows that most women earn low income due to low education and unemployment. The findings also unveiled that the majority of respondents depend on Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) all culminating to increased vulnerability of women’s livelihood strategies to climate change. They employ various coping strategies including diversification of income sources, climate smart agriculture practises and engage in non-agricultural income generating activities to secure household food security and resilience in mitigating climate change impacts. The study highlight the importance of gender responsive policies interventions in rural women empowerment and emphasizes the need for inclusive decision making processes, access to resources, financial services and capacity building to promote sustainable development for rural women.

Date

May 2024

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Climate change , climate sensitive , rural women livelihood

Supervisor

Dr H. Musarandega