ANALYSIS OF GENDER VULNERABILITY TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN KEBRIBEYAH DISTRICT SOMALI REGIONAL STATE OF ETHIOPIA

Abstract

As climate change continues to impact various regions, its effects were not uniform and influenced by many factors. The objective of this study was to analyze analysis of gender vulnerability to climate change and adaptation strategies in Kebribeyah district Somali regional state of Ethiopia. The sample households were randomly chosen; ensuring the inclusion of both male and female household representatives to enable qualitative research approaches through a multi-stage stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected from 203 households in four selected kebeles of the district. A cross-sectional research design was employed for this study. Primary data were obtained through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, questionnaires, and field observations, while existing data from published and unpublished reports, archives, and other documents were also utilized. Both qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed to obtain reliable information. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the vulnerability of gender (men and women) to climate change and identify adaptation strategies within the district. Findings revealed that female farmers were more vulnerable to climate change and its variability compared to male-headed households, particularly in the kola kebeles of the study area. The main adaptation strategies employed by respondents included family planning, lifestyle modifications, and other approaches. They also implemented climate-smart techniques such as crop rotation, intercropping, improved crop varieties, seed selection, improved livestock breeds, reduced livestock densities, water harvesting, and other measures. However, several obstacles and challenges were identified, including poverty, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient institutional support, outdated practices, and limited access to technology. Therefore, the local government should work hard to aware farmers about climate variability and its impacts through agricultural extension workers and training. Strengthening efforts on enhancing the farmer’s adaptive capacity to climate variability is an important strategy to create climate resilient.