Walking the uncharted path: gender, marital status, and climate vulnerability among smallholder farmers in Northwestern Ethiopia

Funded by VLIRUOS and conducted collaboratively between the University of Gondar and the University of Antwerp, the research endeavors delved into a thorough exploration of the intricate relationship between gender dynamics and climate change in Northwest Ethiopia. The project’s focus was on examining the extent of variations in perception, vulnerability, and agriculture-related adaptation preferences to climate change from a gender and intersectionality perspective. 

The researchers' findings add to the intersectionality literature by showing how different social identities related to marital status, gender, and age interact to bring about different outcomes for different people in relation to their ability to cope with and adapt to climate change impacts. Furthermore, we confirmed that the intrinsic vulnerability analysis could be used as a feasible framework to identify the most vulnerable groups of households, identify factors that lead households to be more vulnerable, and prioritise realistic adaptation strategies relevant to the specific setting. Finally, the researchers also more specifically explore how women perceive and navigate the challenges posed by climate change in agriculture. The analysis not only sheds light on the distinct vulnerabilities faced by women but also unveils their unique insights and preferences in adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices.