Climate change related gender inequality and challenges to community based adaptation in Ngamiland, Botswana

Submitted by Malin Lindgren 19th May 2015 2:49

Click to enlarge.

Introduction

Climate change is now well recognized as a physical and global reality and community based adaptation is key to the enhancement of livelihoods within the context of climate change. Climate change and associated events in developing countries impact on women more than men and this inequality between men and women is widened as a result of climate change related events. This study was undertaken in Ngamiland district located in the north-west part of Botswana

The objectives of this study is to analyse gender inequality within the context of climate change and identify CBA adaptation strategies to water availability challenges.

Specific Objectives of Project

• To analyse the nature and form of inequalities that have always existed among men and women in Ngamiland;

• To describe climate change water related events affecting men and women;

• To explore and analyse the influence of climate change water related events on gender inequality in Ngamiland;

• To enhance knowledge and understanding of climate change among rural women and explore ways on enhancing CBA strategies;

• To identify appropriate CBA strategies aimed at enhancing women’s empowerment and how these can be measured.

Picture from poster. Click to enlarge.

Challenges to community adaptation to climate change

• Limited knowledge at community level about climate change, its impacts and CBA strategies;

• Weak local institutions which cannot implement & measure community adaptation strategies;

• Lack of material and financial resources needed for enhancing and measuring community adaptation approaches.

• Inadequate knowledge and skills at the local level for measuring community adaptation strategies

• Lack of national and local policies and programmes that can enhance community adaptation, .e.g.
- Promotion of CBNRM Projects

- Encouragement of non-agricultural business activities

- Promotion of rainwater harvesting activities

Key messages

• Communities are mainly coping to climate change and the strategies being used are not effective;

• Countries like Botswana need policies and programmes that enhance gender equality and community adaptation to climate change for the benefit of women;

• No appropriate approaches for measuring CBA strategies;

• Need for appropriate approaches for measuring CBA strategies.

Poster Contact:

The original poster was produced by Krasposy Kujinga, University of Botswana.

This poster is one of the posters featured at the 9th International Conference on Community-Based Adaptation (CBA9) which took place in Nairobi, Kenya, from April 24-30 2015. The CBA series of conferences focus on the latest developments in community-based adaptation to climate change. The theme of this year's event was "Measuring and enhancing effective adaptation", and all the posters presented at the conference were summaries of projects related to the conference theme. For more information about CBA9, visit: www.cba9.org. If you want to learn more about community based adaptation, please visit the GICBA platform on weADAPT.