Climate change perceptions and challenges to adaptation among smallholder farmers in semi-arid Ghana: A gender analysis

• Published in: Journal of arid environments Vol. 182; p. 104247
• Main Authors: Assan, Elsie, Suvedi, Murari, Schmitt Olabisi, Laura, Bansah, Kenneth Joseph
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2020
• Subjects: Agriculture; Climate change perceptions; Food security; Gender inequality; Agriculture; Gender inequality; Climate change perceptions; Food security
• ISSN: 0140-1963; 1095-922X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2020.104247

Gender-sensitive climate change adaptation strategies can improve gender equality and women's development in agrarian communities. This study used both qualitative and quantitative research methods (focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and household surveys) to explore the perspectives of men and women on climate change, including climate change impacts on their farming activities and household well-being, and challenges faced in mitigating climate change impacts. The empirical data showed similarities in climate change perceptions between men and women, and rising temperatures, shortened cropping season, and increasing erratic rainfall as the main climatic stressors. Lack of money and inadequate access to labor among women and inadequate access to extension and old age/poor health among men were the major constraints to mitigating climate change impacts. Integrating gender needs in climate change adaptation planning and intervention development can help build resilient farm households. •The gender dimensions of climate change views and barriers to adaptation are explored.•Rising temperatures and increasing erratic rainfall are observed climatic stressors.•Climate change affects food security and well-being of farm households.•Cultural norms constrain adaptive capacity of women heads of farm households to climate change.•Access to extension services, credit, and labor may improve farmers' resilience.