Gender Vulnerability to Climate Change Impacts Among Agro-pastoralists in Kondoa District, Tanzania

Abstract

Climate change disproportionately affects both men and women in agropastoral communities worldwide. However, the levels of vulnerability across male- and female-headed agro-pastoral households remain debatable. This study collected data from 366 households in the Kondoa District using focus groups, interviews, and household surveys. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The IPCC Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) and a two-sample t-test were employed to assess gender-based vulnerability levels. The qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. The findings indicate that female-headed households are more vulnerable to climate change (0.614 index score) than male-headed households (0.595 index score). The higher vulnerability is attributed to a higher sensitivity index (0.685) among female-headed households than among male-headed households (0.483). Additionally, female-headed households have a lower adaptive capacity index (0.543) than male-headed households (0.654). The study recommends that climate change stakeholders—including the Ministry of Agriculture, Kondoa District Council, and Tanzania Meteorological Authority—develop targeted mechanisms to increase awareness of climate information, extension services, and technology. Also, special attention should be given to supporting female-headed households to strengthen their capacity to respond and adapt to climate change impacts. Keywords: climate change, gender, agro-pastoral communities, vulnerability level.