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A qualitative comparative analysis of women’s agency and adaptive capacity in climate change hotspots in Asia and Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Nitya Rao

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Arabinda Mishra

    (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development)

  • Anjal Prakash

    (TERI School of Advanced Studies)

  • Chandni Singh

    (Indian Institute of Human Settlements)

  • Ayesha Qaisrani

    (Sustainable Development Policy Institute)

  • Prathigna Poonacha

    (Indian Institute of Human Settlements)

  • Katharine Vincent

    (Kulima Integrated Development Solutions (Pty) Ltd)

  • Claire Bedelian

    (Pathways to Resilience in Semi-arid Economies, Overseas Development Institute)

Abstract

There is growing concern about sustainable and equitable adaptation in climate change hotspots, commonly understood as locations that concentrate high climatic variability, societal vulnerability and negative impacts on livelihood systems. Emphasizing gender within these debates highlights how demographic, socioeconomic and agro-ecological contexts mediate the experiences and outcomes of climate change. Drawing on data from 25 qualitative case studies across three hotspots in Africa and Asia, analysed using qualitative comparative analysis, we show how and in what ways women’s agency, or the ability to make meaningful choices and strategic decisions, contributes to adaptation responses. We find that environmental stress is a key depressor of women’s agency even when household structures and social norms are supportive or legal entitlements are available. These findings have implications for the effective implementation of multilateral agreements such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Nitya Rao & Arabinda Mishra & Anjal Prakash & Chandni Singh & Ayesha Qaisrani & Prathigna Poonacha & Katharine Vincent & Claire Bedelian, 2019. "A qualitative comparative analysis of women’s agency and adaptive capacity in climate change hotspots in Asia and Africa," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 9(12), pages 964-971, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:9:y:2019:i:12:d:10.1038_s41558-019-0638-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-019-0638-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Kristen M. Green & Jennifer C. Selgrath & Timothy H. Frawley & William K. Oestreich & Elizabeth J. Mansfield & Jose Urteaga & Shannon S. Swanson & Francisca N. Santana & Stephanie J. Green & Josheena , 2021. "How adaptive capacity shapes the Adapt, React, Cope response to climate impacts: insights from small-scale fisheries," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 164(1), pages 1-22, January.
    2. Díaz, Juan-José & Saldarriaga, Victor, 2023. "A drop of love? Rainfall shocks and spousal abuse: Evidence from rural Peru," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    3. Clapp, Jennifer & Moseley, William G. & Burlingame, Barbara & Termine, Paola, 2022. "Viewpoint: The case for a six-dimensional food security framework," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    4. Gressel, Christie M. & Rashed, Tarek & Maciuika, Laura Aswati & Sheshadri, Srividya & Coley, Christopher & Kongeseri, Sreeram & Bhavani, Rao R, 2020. "Vulnerability mapping: A conceptual framework towards a context-based approach to women’s empowerment," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 20(C).
    5. Rao, Smitha & Enelamah, Ngozi V., 2024. "Social protection and absorptive capacity: Disaster preparedness and social welfare policy in the United States," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    6. Faisal Bin Islam & Madhuri Sharma, 2021. "Gendered Dimensions of Unpaid Activities: An Empirical Insight into Rural Bangladesh Households," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-12, June.
    7. Xin Nie & Jianxian Wu & Han Wang & Lihua Li & Chengdao Huang & Weijuan Li & Zhuxia Wei, 2022. "Booster or Stumbling Block? The Role of Environmental Regulation in the Coupling Path of Regional Innovation under the Porter Hypothesis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-20, March.
    8. Maryam Vizheh & Frances Rapport & Jeffrey Braithwaite & Yvonne Zurynski, 2023. "The Impact of Women’s Agency on Accessing and Using Maternal Healthcare Services: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-17, February.

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