Gendered farmers' perception of climate variability and change and adaptation in Paicho sub-county, Gulu District

Abstract

Gendered perceptions and knowledge plays a key role in shaping individual’s and collective responses to climate variability and change. Understanding the different adaptation strategies being used by the different gender groups is crucial in guiding targeted adaptation planning. This study; 1) assessed the gendered perception of climate variability and change in Paicho sub-county, 2) identified the gendered adaptation strategies to climate variability and change in Paicho sub-county, 3) determined the factors that influence gendered adaptation strategies to climate variability and change in Paicho sub-county. Data was collected through a cross-sectional survey that generated both qualitative and qualitative data. The sample size was 121 respondents (48 being Females and 73 being males) from two parishes (Kal-umu and Kal-ali). The data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, and chi-square tests and Multi-nominal logistic regression. Results showed perceived evidence of gendered perception of climate variability and change (39.7% being females and 60.3% being males) and there’s no significant differences in gendered perceptions were observed. However, with regards to climate variability and change indicator occurring, majority noticed floods (24.8% females and 35.5% males). Owing to the occurrence of climate variability and change stressors, majority of the respondents adapted to the stressors. However, there is no significant difference in the adaptation strategies being used as well as the resilience of both gender groups was not guaranteed given that the bulk of their adaptation strategies were climate variability and change dependent. The logistic regression (LR) results showed a non-significant effect of gender factors in influencing adaptation strategies to climate variability and change. These are due to disparities in several socio-economic characteristics and this is statistically significant especially regarding the level of education, family size, and duration of stay in the area, and belonging to farmers’ group, association and an organization. This study has shown that gender plays a minimal role in climate variability and change perception as well as in the specific adaptation options. Further, several socio-cultural and economic factors influence the gendered adaptation strategies to climate variability and change apart of from the gender dimension itself. This study recommends that institutions in charge of rural development in Uganda capacitate the smallholder farmers to better understand and effectively select and use adaptation strategies to climate variability and change.