Chapter 8 - Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Gender Inequality Among Pastoralists in Tanzania

Abstract

Climate change (CC) consequences in Tanzania have taken a gender dimension, in which women are seen to be more vulnerable than men. Although a number of studies have been conducted on gender and CC, information on gender inequality and CC adaptation strategies, particularly in Tanzania, is still limited. This chapter aims to first, identify CC adaptation strategies in the study area; second, examine gender inequality in terms of division of labor, resource ownership, and decision-making; and third, determine how gender inequality affects CC adaptation strategies. The chapter is based on a study conducted in Kilosa District in Tanzania, which adopted a cross-sectional research design. Primary data were collected from 50 respondents using a structured questionnaire and a checklist of questions for focus group discussions. Desk review of various documents was employed in collecting secondary data. It was found that various adaptation strategies were used by the pastoralists to adapt to CC impacts. It was also found that gender inequality in the study area made it difficult to implement various CC adaptation measures. It is recommended that gender-sensitive policies and strategies on household division of labor, resource ownership, and decision-making are required to enhance women’s CC adaptive capacity.