Intrahousehold equality and climate change adaptation: a comparative study of Bwengu and Lisasadzi areas in Mzimba and Kasungu, Malawi

Abstract

Climate change poses a serious threat to agricultural production, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Women are more vulnerable because of norms that put them at a disadvantage concerning ownership of productive assets, decision-making in agricultural production, control of household income, and time use. The study aimed to determine the effect of intrahousehold gender inequality on the adoption of climate change adaptation strategies in Bwengu and Lisasadzi Extension Planning Areas (EPA). Specifically, it aimed to assess husbands’ and wives’ perception of climate change, intrahousehold inequality in decision-making and asset ownership; and the effect of intrahousehold decision-making on the adoption of climate change adaptation strategies. Quantitative data was collected from 116 coupled farming households (232 husbands and wives) in the two EPAs, while qualitative data was collected through focus group discussions with women groups and key informant interviews with local chiefs. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics in Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) and regression analysis in Statistics and Data (STATA), while qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The study found that men and women in both sites have noted changes in rainfall patterns and temperatures over the past years. The most common adaptation strategies were the use of early maturing varieties and soil conservation structures. The study also found intrahousehold inequality in asset ownership and control, time use and decision-making in agricultural production, and the use of income in both Lisasadzi and Bwengu. Furthermore, the study has empirically shown using probit regression analysis that more involvement of women in decision-making in agricultural production, use of household income, crop farming and land use increases the probability of a household adopting mixed cropping, early maturing varieties, drought-resistant varieties and zero tillage. Hence, the research recommends that organisations should prioritise women empowerment in agricultural decision-making to increase the uptake of climate-change adaptation strategies among smallholder households.