Why paying attention to gender matters for climate change adaptation

A blog post, published by IFPRI on 17 Novemver 2015, compiles new research which sheds light on gender differences in perceptions of climate change and the ability to adopt practices and technologies needed to increase resilience. These data show that men and women have different preferences, needs, and priorities for the ways in which they respond to climate change. These findings point to the need for integrating a gender perspective into research on climate change as well as programmes and projects focused on facilitating adaptation (and mitigation) on the ground.

Well documented gender differences in access to and control over resources also shape men’s and women’s ability to adopt new strategies, practices, or technologies in response to climate change. In many countries, men tend to control income from agricultural production and have greater control over resources needed to adopt new technologies. Social norms also limit the adaptation options available to women. 

In some contexts, such as in Senegal, women tend to be less likely to perceive climatic changes than their husbands. In other contexts, such as in Uganda and Kenya, men and women perceive different climatic shocks, long-term climate changes, and different impacts from climate change. For example, in Nyando, Kenya, women were more likely to perceive increases in temperature, rainfall, and the incidence of flooding while men were more likely to perceive more frequent droughts and increased rainfall variability. Given that adaptation responses largely depend on individuals’ perceptions of climate change, differences in men’s and women’s perceptions can have profound effects on whether or not they adapt and, if so, which strategies they choose.