Resilience, power, culture, and climate: a case study from semi-arid Tanzania, and new research directions

Abstract

Rapid changes to the climate are predicted over the next few years, and these present challenges for women's empowerment and gender equality on a completely new scale. There is little evidence or research to provide a reliable basis for gender-sensitive approaches to agricultural adaptation to climate change. This article explores the gender dimensions of climate change, in relation to participation in decision-making, divisions of labour, access to resources, and knowledge systems. It draws on insights from recent research on agricultural adaptation to climate change in Tanzania. The article then explains why future gender-sensitive climate-adaptation efforts should draw upon insights from ‘resilience thinking’, ‘political ecology’, and environmental anthropology – as a way of embedding analysis of power struggles and cultural norms in the context of the overall socio-ecological system.

Keywords:

• gender
• climate
• culture
• resilience
• adaptation
• agriculture
• anthropology

Notes

1. The Tanzanian research was analysed by the authors. The original Tanzanian research was conducted by the CCAA project – led by Dr A. Majule and Dr E. Liwenga of the Institute of Resource Assessment, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with support from T. Stathers and R. Lamboll of the Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich. The project studies which have been analysed were: Stathers, T.E., Ngana, J.O., Katunzi, A., Swai, O.W., Kashaga, S.B., 2007. Climate Change Adaptations in More and Less Favoured Areas of Tanzania: Local Perceptions, Vulnerability and Current and Future Adaptation Strategies in Chibelela Village, Bahi District, Dodoma Region. Institute of Resource Assessment, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 81 pp. Stathers, T.E., Ngana, J.O., Katunzi, A., Swai, O.W., Kasanga, F.P.M., 2007. Climate Change Adaptations in More and Less Favoured Areas of Tanzania: Local Perceptions, Vulnerability and Current and Future Adaptation Strategies in Laikala Village, Kongwa District, Dodoma Region. Institute of Resource Assessment, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 80 pp. The project has been funded from June 2007-March 2011. Project website http://www.ccaa-agrictama.org