Gendered Impact of Climate Change among Paddy Farmers of Kahama District, Shinyanga Region, Tanzania

Abstract

The study presents the findings on the research which examined gendered impacts of climate change among the paddy farmers of Kahama District, Shinyanga Region. Specifically, the study assessed gendered desegregated effects of climate change among the paddy farmers and the implications on the effects of climate change among women farmers of Kahama District. The study adopted a cross sectional research design on which 312 randomly selected farm households were interviewed. The study employed a triangulation approach whereby primary data were collected through household surveys, field observation and key informants’ interviews. The findings revealed that women and men farmers disproportionally affected by climate change. These effects include the prevalence pests and diseases over a period of 30 years and the general decrease in crop yields to due to the changes in temperature and rainfall patterns. These effects pose negative implications in increasing women’s workload and time burden, health and safety risks, and livelihood and food security respectively. The study concluded that women bear a disproportionate burden of the challenges of climate change due to existing social and economic inequalities. This negatively subject women farmers into health, livelihoods and overall additional household burden of the households’ activities.  The study recommends to the Government to enforce gender-sensitive policies and interventions. Furthermore, it is recommended to the Government to ensure that effective strategies prioritize gender equity and inclusivity so as to build a more adaptive farming community.