GENDER DIMENSION IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AT WEST BELLESSA DISTRICT, NORTHEAST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Both women and men are vulnerable to the impact of climate change. So, the overall objective of this study was to assess the gender dimension impacts of climate change at West Bellessa District, Northeast Ethiopia. Both primary and secondary data sources were used. Longitudinal and cross-sectional research design with multi stage sampling procedure was used to select 184 respondents. The result of the study indicated that drought, stress, increasing temperature, scarcity of water, decreasing food crops, floods, displacement, water born disease, early offset rain, late onset rain, malaria and conflicts were the major impacts of climate change in the study area. Stress, scarcity of water, water born disease and drought were more affecting women. Floods, displacement, early offset rain and late onset rain were more affecting men. This implies that climate change impacts affects women and men differently because of their gender roles. Therefore, any climate change adaptation strategies should consider gender issues.