Farmers' Vulnerability to Climate Change Impacts in Semi-arid Environments in Tanzania: A Gender Perspective

This chapter reports on the study conducted in semi-arid environment in Iramba and Meatu districts to examine gender vulnerability and adaptations to climate change impacts. The study adopted qualitative approach that brought together smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists to discuss issues, in nine focus group discussions, in three villages. A total of 99 participants were involved. The results showed that the major climatic hazards since 1985 were, among others, drought, floods, strong wind accompanied with "ice falling," and crop and livestock diseases including malaria and cholera that affected humans. Their frequencies were reported to be on the increase, especially since the 2000s. Such hazards negatively affected livelihoods resources like land, livestock, human and water resource that in turn affected communities' livelihoods. Men and women had developed different coping and adaptation strategies, which had not changed much in the past 30 years. Men's strategies were related to mobility contrary to women counterparts. The chapter concludes that women and children were more vulnerable due to factors like limited control over livelihoods resources, limited mobility, domestic chores and the general subordinate position in the communities. Concerted integrated programmes from various stakeholders are required to rectify an existing situation.