This study analyzed the Chivi South community's vulnerability to drought and its adaptation with particular attention to gender dynamics. The Household Vulnerability Index was used to infer vulnerability and adaptation of the community to drought.
PROBLEM DEFINITION AND SETTING
- Introduction
- Background to the research problem
- Problem statement
- Objectives
- Research aim
- Specific objectives
- Research questions
- Delimitation of the research and study area
- Scope of the study
- Study area
- Significance and justification of the study
- Definition of key terms
- Conceptual framework
- Chapter summary
According to Chiripanhura one third of the district is in region 4 and the rest in region 5. Chivi is characterized by sandy soil. Its levels are influenced by the socio-economic environment and the political climate of the affected community.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
The mean climate of Southern Africa
The interior of southern Africa is characterized by low plateaus and highlands that extend up to a maximum of 3,000 m in height. Precipitation in the central region is mainly influenced by the movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) between the equator and the tropics (Jury, 2013). The southward movement of the ITCZ to the Tropic of Capricorn between November and March causes a lot of rainfall.
Climate variability and droughts in Southern Africa
Globally, the effects of climate variability and change are becoming more visible, for example heat waves, recurrent floods and droughts. 2012:14) highlight the ongoing flooding of Caribbean-Pacific islands and the rapid destruction of mangroves and coral reefs. 2000) discusses recurrent droughts in eastern parts of Australia. According to Unganai and Mason, all rainfall seasons of the country show a high inter-annual variability of a coefficient of 26% in the north and 36% in the south.
Food security in Zimbabwe
However, maize production trends arise from a diaplothera of factors such as structural changes, shifts in the political, social and economic environment (Anseeuw et al., 2012). Despite declining trends in maize production at the national level, small grains survived all environmental factors (Makuvaro, 2014).
The vulnerability concept
The concept of vulnerability is centered on the physical and emotional well-being of human life, ensuring its impairment and ill-health for economic growth. Although vulnerability is a result of many factors, it is exclusively associated with adaptation (Kelly and Adger, 2000).
Drought vulnerability in Southern Africa
FAO (2007) asserts that poor countries are more vulnerable to the risks of climate variability due to low adaptive capacities. However, research by Madzvamuse et al. 2010) and Murendo (2012) show that the factors that make communities vulnerable to drought in Africa are not limited to geographic, economic and physical dimensions, but social issues also play an important role.
Drought vulnerability in Zimbabwe
Research in Gwanda, Lower Gwelo and Masvingo revealed lower agricultural yields, loss of livestock and poverty as some of the effects of drought in Zimbabwe (Mapfungautsi and Munhande, 2013; Chagutah 2010; Nhodo et al., 2010). This view is supported by Madzvamuse (2010), who adds that 70% of women who depend on smallholder farming are particularly vulnerable to the knock-on effects of climate change.
Gendered vulnerability to drought in Southern Africa
Women, in most rural African areas, have no control over vital resources. 2012) note that women lack control over livestock, land and houses in countries such as Kenya, Botswana and South Africa. Women, in most cases, own small crops such as vegetables and small income-generating livestock such as goats and chickens, which they cannot raise during drought seasons.
Vulnerability assessment methods
The World Food Program (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have attempted to include multidimensional factors such as health status and poverty as indicators to assess vulnerability. Within these parameters, modern assessments such as the Climate Vulnerability Assessment seek to assess people's socio-economic status and quantify community adaptation to global change.
The concept of adaptation to climate change
The second one is rather indirect, i.e. the receptor and exposure unit are different and action enables the receptor to handle. In anticipatory adaptation, measures are proactive to combat the impact of climate change, while autonomous adaptation is a rather spontaneous action.
Challenges in adaptation to climate change
There is therefore a need to become familiar with gender barriers to climate change adaptation for countries to develop gender-sensitive responses.
Adaptation to climatic risks in Africa
For example, the poor and middle class are resorting to sustainable agriculture, while the rich are diversifying their livestock. 2012), inferring climate change adaptation among rice farmers in northern Ghana, noted that farmers' adoption of technology depends on the type of crop being grown. Mudzonga (2012), who examined factors influencing farmers' choice of coping methods in Ward 23, Chivi District, noted that household characteristics, institutional factors such as experience, education level, household size, access to climate change information and access to credit facilities determine adjustment methods.
Adaptation to drought in Zimbabwe
These range from top-down government interventions, externally idealized participatory NGO initiatives to the most recent Community Based Adaptation (CBA) (Mudzonga, 2012; Nhodo et al., 2010; Mahan (2002) admits that while community-based adaptation strategies reinforce communities, they do not address structural inequalities.
Coping strategies at community level in Zimbabwe
If top-down conflict approaches in Chivi, observed by Nhodo et al. 2010) and the avoidance of externally conceived conservation approaches by the Shangani people in Chiredzi, Zimbabwe is all to follow, the community-based approach being the most popular approach. 2012) support this view because of the success of the bottom-up approach in the case of drought in the Sakai region of Kenya. There is a need to form adaptation strategies at both the macro and micro levels (Mapfumo et al., 2013).
Gender mainstreaming in adaptation strategies
This is confirmed by Progressio Zimbabwe (2009) who noted that in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe (UMP) very few communities practiced rain making rituals and communal granary compared to neighboring areas such as Murehwa. She attributed the disadvantages to the level of education, access to resources and recommended better institutional mechanisms to assist farmers. 2013) used a risk chain analysis and found that there is a 40% higher frequency of food insecurity in male-headed households compared to 29% in female-headed households.
Chapter summary
These views complement international frameworks such as the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005), which calls for mainstreaming gender and cultural diversity in disaster management. Against this background, recent research supported by international frameworks such as Hyogo advocates gender mainstreaming in adaptation plans.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
Research design
The study needed data on drought vulnerability and coping mechanisms from households, community leaders, NGOs and district agricultural extension officers. Authority to conduct the survey in Chivi was sought and granted by the District Administrator of Chivi District.
Methods of data collection
- Secondary data
- Primary Data
- Key informant interviews
- Household questionnaires
- Focus group discussions
In Ward 31, the group consisted of the chief, seven chief advisers, and seven village chiefs. In Ward 31, the group consisted of the chief, seven chief advisers, and seven village chiefs.
Sampling methods, sizes and unit of analysis
- Theoretical framework
This was done to include both female and male households in the survey and to ensure a balanced gender analysis. Child leaders were also allowed to participate in the study and were categorized by gender.
Data presentation and analysis
- The Household Vulnerability Index (HVI)
The spatial extent analysis was done using the 6-month SPI values for all years in which drought was observed. In multi-response variables, cut points were set and transformed to different points between 0 and 1. Complex ratio cases were transformed by attaching a value Y for a maximum value and X for the actual value, then ) would get a score between 0 and 1.
Key informant interviews and Focus group discussion data
The HVI results answered the research questions about vulnerability and adaptability of men and women in Chivi district. The Household Vulnerability Index, which has the ability to measure adaptive capacity and vulnerability at the same time, was analyzed at the same time, both gendered vulnerability and adaptation.
Data presentation
In this HVI, level 1 denoted high adaptability and minimal vulnerability; level 2 showed less adaptability and high vulnerability; and level 3 showed the highest vulnerability and the least adaptability. Household Vulnerability Index is a good tool for assessing livelihood assets in remote areas to assist in policy formulation and development decision making (FANRPAN, 2011).
Chapter summary
Introduction
Characteristics and extent of drought in Chivi District
- Mid seasonal drought patterns in Chivi
- Seasonal moisture deficit patterns in Chivi District
- Seasonal drought patterns in Chivi District
- Inter-annual drought pattern in Chivi
- Drought severity in Chivi District
- Drought frequency in Chivi District
- Probability of drought recurrence in Chivi
- Spatial extent of droughts occurring in Chivi
This reflects high humidity, in the October-December period, which corresponds to the average climate of the area. This shows that mild droughts recur more often in Chivi with an interval of two years.
Changes in food crop production in Chivi District
- Trends in food crop production changes in Chivi District
A general decline in food crop yields over the last 30 years in Chivi was noted (Figure 4.9). The estimated dividend results per hectare for recent seasons as presented in Figure 4.10 reveals a generally low and more uniform yield/hectare in all crops, except maize.
Gender vulnerability and adaptation
- Gender and Marital status
- Age, Education and Employment status
- Gendered vulnerability in Chivi
- Intra gender vulnerability
- Gendered exposure to drought across dimensions
- Gender and adaptation in Chivi
In households with female heads, 54% fell into the very vulnerable category (ELH) along with 50% male households. Most male-headed households fail, with 84% moderately maladaptive versus 72% of female-headed households.
Household vulnerability and adaptation in Chivi District
- Household exposure to drought shock
A significant number of households had access to loans, credit and social schemes, and a few had savings. However, it is important to note that women had access to land but did not control it.
Culture and gender vulnerability in Chivi District
Both women and men had access to natural resources such as pastures, water and forests, and some respondents claimed access to minerals. A number of households in Ward 22, 24 and 31 were unable to access pastures and arable land due to the construction of the Tokwe-Mukosi Dam.
Adaptation strategies in Chivi
- Public coping mechanisms
- Government led adaptation strategies in Chivi
- Community initiatives
- Gendered coping strategies at a household level
- General household coping strategies
Some NGOs, such as CARE and World Vision, have started community gender awareness training. Households without stable incomes often employed strategies such as bartering, piecework, gold prospecting, firewood, and selling livestock.
Indigenous knowledge on drought vulnerability and adaptation
Pre-drought strategies were more planned and long-term focused, while post-drought mechanisms were unplanned and short-term focused. Pre-drought strategies were mostly implemented by women, while most men only intervene when a drought occurs.
Chapter summary
DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS
Introduction
Spatial structural characteristics of drought in Chivi
The study also revealed that although drought is widespread in Chivi, droughts have become milder and less frequent in the last 15 years of the study. Another climatic variation noted in this study is the shift of the rainy season in the district.
Changes in food crop production in Chivi
Chikodzi et al (2013) also noted that the high capacity of the dam to revive agriculture was not recognized in the area. Vegetable gardening, despite being practiced on a small scale, is one of the most popular coping strategies in the district.
Gender vulnerability to drought in Chivi District
Unemployment is high in the District, mainly due to few job opportunities in the area as it is predominantly rural. The households that fell into the extremely vulnerable level, ELH, had all the characteristics of the poor.
Gendered adaptation to drought in Chivi
It is also important to note that the decentralization of household financial decision-making benefits households regardless of the gender of the household head. Young people are key to the development of the district, as well as innovation in coping strategies.
Adaptation across Chivi District Wards
These wards are located in the Zifunzi and Zunga area, where most of the people were displaced by the construction of the Tokwe-Mukosi dam. They provide relief during droughts, as well as much-needed money for critical matters such as funerals, school and hospital costs.
Gender and adaption strategies in Chivi
This includes buying and selling household goods such as groceries, clothes and electrical appliances. This strategy is not only practiced during drought seasons but also during wet seasons to generate money for basics like school fees.
External coping strategies in Chivi
As a result, some employees access their paychecks through fast and highly accessible mobile phone financial services such as Eco-cash. In an area like Chivi, with a large population of women, who have multiple gender roles, and a limited childhood, the program often leads children to drop out of school to help their families.
Chapter summary
The broad aim of the study was to examine spatial-structural drought characteristics, changes in food crop production and to analyze gender-related vulnerability and adaptation in Chivi South. To intensively examine vulnerability to drought, both the external and internal vulnerability of households was assessed across gender boundaries.
Conclusions
Given current climate change projections, Chivi's chances of survival are slim, so adaptation depends solely on external assistance from the Zimbabwean government and NGOs.
Recommendations
There should be a synergy between Government policies, gender ratification and community development programs. While cultural preservation is vital, there is a need to harmonize cultural values and sustainable livelihood development.
Further research
Climate Change and Variability in Southern Africa: Impacts and Adaptation Strategies in the Agricultural Sector. Climate change impacts and adaptation in the agricultural sector: The case of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe.
Research authorisation letter
Rainfall Data for Chivi District
Standardized Precipitation Index
Household Questionnaire
Do you have family members who have migrated from the family compound within the last 30 years.
Household vulnerability variables
5 0= households receiving support from >2 institutions, 0.5= households receiving support from 1 or 2 institutions and 0= without support. 5 1= households without any other income generating project; 0.5 for those who sell firewood and zero otherwise.
