Climate change and the socio-economic livelihoods of rural women in semi-arid region of Mbire District in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Climate change has negatively affected people throughout the world including decimating the socio-economic livelihoods of rural women who rely mainly on agriculture as their backbone. This qualitative study deploys the exploratory research approach using a case study design to have an in-depth understanding of the effects of climate change on the socio-economic livelihoods of rural women in the semi-arid region of Mbire District in Zimbabwe. The study employed the Sustainable Rural Livelihood Approach as its theoretical framework to contextualise the study and followed the snowball and purposive sampling approaches to select the study participants. Data for the study was collected through face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The data was analysed using thematic content analysis and it was found amongst others that the effects of climate change have worsened the state of rural women households, livelihoods and agriculture alone cannot sustain their livelihoods. The study recommended, amongst others, the continuation of support from government, international and local NGOs. The study also recommends contingency measures to be put in place to combat incidents brought about by floods, droughts, violent winds and storms.