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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Gender, culture and climate change in rural Namibia
Authors:Angula, Margaret NdapewaISNI
Menjono, Ewaldine
Year:2014
Periodical:Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (ISSN 2026-7215)
Volume:3
Issue:1
Pages:225-238
Language:English
Geographic term:Namibia
Subjects:subsistence farming
climate change
gender inequality
Abstract:Subsistence farming is central to Namibian communities' livelihoods. At the same time it is one of the sectors that is most vulnerable to impacts of climate change. This articles examines the differentiated impacts of climate change on female and male farmers in Namibia, using the Gender Analysis Framework (GAF) and the Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis Framework (CVCA). To understand why and how women and men are affected is important for the development of adaptation strategies in the agricultural sector, and especially for enhancing the resilience of local communities. The paper further highlights how culture influences gender inequalities and climate change vulnerability among different ethnic communities. Cultural beliefs, perceptions and opinions that perceive a woman as weak and as subordinate to men still dominate in Namibian society. Such cultural beliefs inform social practices and values of all ethnic groups. Women have limited decision-making power at all levels of government and women in rural areas have feelings of hopelessness. The paper concludes that climate change impacts are not gender neutral. Men's and women's vulnerability to climate change are not the same, and their adaptive capacities are differentiated. Access to information and ownership of technical skills is important to increase the capacity of both men and women to diversify their livelihood and to migrate in search of employment. Bibliogr., sum. [ASC Leiden abstract]
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