GENDER VULNERABILITY TO DROUGHT IN THE UPPER EAST REGION OF GHANA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BONGO AND TALENSI DISTRICTS

Abstract

Climate change, manifested in the Upper East Region through prolonged droughts has adversely affected food security; availability, utilization and stability especially among smallholder farmers. Although it is obvious that climate change and drought has altered food production systems, very little however has been done particularly in making comparative analysis of the situation with regards to gender. Most intriguing is the fact that most studies so far have concentrated on identifying the level of vulnerability and adaptation but are silent on the issue of differences among groups (e.g. gender) in relation to droughts. What is missing in previous studies is the consideration of the role or significance of gender differences in the changing climate particularly in drought situations, since both genders are actively engaged in agriculture. Guided by the vulnerability theories, this study employed the descriptive research design to examine gender vulnerability to drought in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The findings reveal that both males and females are equally affected by drought related impacts but more men had access to land and other productive resources than women in both districts. The findings further reveal that, although both genders employed coping and adaptation strategies, more men used off-farm strategies (carpentry, masonry, trade and commerce, migration and government employment). These off-farm wage employment are less affected by climate change and drought making men more resilient to the impacts of drought and climate change. The findings further suggest that female farmers were engaged in less paid jobs such as petty trading and rendered farm related services to other people in exchange for food. Both males and females relied on wild fruits, vegetables and game as temporary coping mechanism during drought episodes and food shortages. Reducing gender vulnerability to drought will entail implementation of planned interventions that has the potential to decrease exposure and vulnerability to drought-related conditions. It is clear from this study that farmers‘ adaptive capacities are constrained. Hence, to increase resilience of vulnerable groups to drought related impacts, it is recommended that climate change adaptation pathways should pay close attention to gender and socio-economic differences of smallholder farmers.