Climate variability and change adaptation strategies and implication to  gender roles in Simanjiro district

Kibona, Euster

Climate variability and change adaptation strategies and implication to gender roles in Simanjiro district

Date

2010

Authors

Kibona, Euster

Publisher

Unversity of Dar es Salaam

Abstract

This study aims at exploring adaptation measures taken in semi arid areas due to climate change variability and implication to gender roles in Naberera ward, Simanjiro District. The results of this study provide baseline information on existing adaptation strategies in the communities and thus covering the knowledge gap on development of adaptation policies in the country. Structured questionnaire surveys and focus group discussions were used to establish the perception, indicators, impacts and coping strategies used during extreme events such as droughts. Analysis of meteorological data from Arusha stations shows that, farmer perceptions correspond with climate data recorded at meteorological stations. Results showed high rainfall variability between seasons, whilst decadal analysis shows a decrease of rain by 230mm since 1960s. Temperature is showing significant increase at R2= 0.5. Decadal analysis has shown average temperature increase of 0.70C since 1960. The research findings show that communities bear a brunt of adverse impact as more than 70% depend on livestock keeping and rainfed agriculture which is highly sensitive to climate variability. Communities have been able to cope with the situation; however the sustainability of these strategies is questionable. Coping strategies ranged from changes of behavior on resource use to migration in extreme situation. This has resulted into shift in gender roles where women bear an increased burden traditionally. Though communities have been able to handle adversity and risk related to droughts, climate change presents a burden that is likely to go beyond a historical experience of many of them. As climate change unfolds, the established strategies are strained to the extent of changing the existing gender roles across age groups.

Description

Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF QC981.C5T34K52)

Keywords

Climate change, Agropastoral Commonities, Environmental change, Simanjiro district, Tanzania

Citation

Kibona, E. (2010) Climate variability and change adaptation strategies and implication to gender roles in Simanjiro district, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam