Gender Difference in Climate Change Perception, and Adaptation Strategies: The Case of Central Zone of Tigrai Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Climate change is not a new phenomenon; it has been happening since the birth of the planet. It has a different impact on men and women due to the difference in their vulnerability and adaptive capacity. The objective of the study was to assess the gender difference in climate change perceptions, coping mechanisms, adaptation strategies, and adaptation barriers in the Central Zone of Tigrai National Regional State, Ethiopia. In this study, 389 respondents were included using a multi-stage stratified sampling technique. Questionnaire, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field visits were used as data collection tools. The quantitative data were analyzed using frequency, percent, mean, and chi-square. Similarly, the qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis. The analyzed result showed that both male and female household heads observed a slight change in temperature without significant difference, but they observed a decline in the rainfall differently. Both male and female household heads perceived the cause of climate change to be both a supernatural force and human activities without a significant difference. Both male and female household heads used selling livestock, food aid, and loans as coping mechanisms in a different way. Similarly, both male and female household heads differently adapted soil and water conservation, adjustment of livestock management, and environmental rehabilitation. Nevertheless, both are challenged by a shortage of oxen, crop pests and diseases, erratic rainfall, and lack of available agricultural inputs. To improve farmers' climate change adaptation, policies and strategies should be favored to the vulnerable group of people.