Gender and Climate Change Adaptation Decisions among Farm Households

Farmers constantly face challenges such as crop failures, reduced agricultural productivity and disease outbreak which often times, result from changes in climatic conditions. Climatic and agricultural challenges have placed most tropical farmers in the position of making critical decisions about sustainable climate change adaptation strategies. Climate change affects women and men differently, depending on their age, socio-economic status and culture. Therefore, gender perspective is essential when discussing policy development, vulnerability, decision making and climate change resilience. For instance, women farmers are not just victims of the effects of climate change due to their vulnerability, they are also key agents of adaptation. Recognising the significance of gender in climate change adaptation framework, application of a gender approach in adaptation decision making process requires a thorough understanding of the involvement of both men and women in the development process.