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

Authors: Nelson, Valerie; Stathers, Tanya

Source: Gender and Development, Volume 17, Number 1, March 2009 , pp. 81-94(14)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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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

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13552070802696946

Publication date: 2009-03-01