Aastha Poudel is an Open Society Foundation scholar for M.A in Sustainable Development Practice at TERI University, New Delhi, India. Aastha is associated as an intern for six months until May 2014 with Women in Environment. Her post-graduate research aims to understand women’s role in adaptation to climate change and the adaptation strategies used by communities in Mali village of Dolakha District, Nepal.
Email: paastha@yahoo.com
Research Synopsis
“Climate Change Adaptation and Gender; Exploration of Case Studies from the Mountainous Communities of Nepal”
Introduction
The rural mountain communities are facing climate related challenges like water scarcity, drastic reductions in yields, increase in crop pests and diseases, health issues and increased workloads especially for women (Macchi, et al., 2011). People living in mountainous region have been adapting in cultural and agricultural practices to the changing climate. Seasonal change in climate and subsequent water availability have determined the calendar of sowing and harvesting as well as their livelihood activities like herding, trade, house construction, etc. (Jansen, 2013). Very little has been pursued so far on the mountain communities and mountain women’s lives and particularly how they adapt to climate change (Leduc, et al., 2008).
This research aims to understand the nature of adaptation strategies developed by communities in the mountain region (Dolakha) of Nepal in response to climate change and explore gender dimension of climate change adaptation. It would provide essence to policy makers for integrating gender analysis in climate change and avoid practices exacerbating gender inequalities.
Objectives and Research Questions
The overall objective of the study is: to understand challenges arising out of climate change induced environmental degradation in Dolakha of Nepal; to illustrate local adaptation strategies developed by women’s group and communities in agriculture, food security, energy and water management. The study addresses the following research questions: what is people’s understanding and what additional burdens women suffer due to environmental degradation caused by changing climatic conditions? How farming practices are modified to cope and to deal with changing environment and when traditional food sources become unpredictable and scarce? What is the impact of climate change on the existing water resources and what are the community mechanisms or indigenous women’s adaptation techniques to deal with drinking water shortage? How has climate change affected women’s responsibility in collecting and storing food, fuel for cooking and heating, and water for domestic purposes?
Methodology
The study will be implemented in Mali village, Dolakha district of Nepal. In the climate change vulnerability index of the National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) of Nepal, Dolakha falls as the highly vulnerable district.
The study will employ qualitative research techniques, i.e., case study research design. Semi-structured questionnaires, key informant interview, direct field observation and the narrative case studies will be developed to substantiate findings. The semi-structured questionnaire is grounded on the FAO’s training guide on Gender and Climate Change Research in Agriculture and Food Security for Rural Development (FAO; CCAFS, 2012) and CARE International’s Toolkit for Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Development Projects (Care, 2010). Climate change related policies and programmes would be reviewed. The study will cover 50 percent of the total 100 households in ward no 06 of Mali village.
Expected Outcome
The research will advance the understanding of adaptation responses of the mountainous community members and the women’s group in Dolakha district of Nepal. It will assist policy makers gender responsive strategic planning to improve adaptability and resilience capacity of most vulnerable people in large.