Vulnerability of women in the face of climate change: a study of Wayanad district of Kerala, India

Abstract

Purpose The relationship between women and extreme weather events is a significant issue given differential impact, adaptation strategies and coping mechanisms for genders. However, the women’s vulnerability and its determinants remain an understudied area. The paper aims to fill this important gap in literature by focusing on women’s vulnerability during the recent floods in the rural areas of Indian state of Kerala using primary data. With a focus on identifying the socioeconomic factors associated with women’s vulnerability, this paper also makes policy suggestions to reduce their vulnerability in the face of floods in Kerala where it is becoming a recurrent phenomenon. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on the primary data collected using structured questionnaire answered exclusively by women respondents. Chi-square tests and ordered logistic regression model have been used to analyze the relation between the women’s vulnerability during floods and their socioeconomic determinants. Findings The analysis found that the better availability of credit to women, access to information tools and higher income for women can reduce their vulnerability when a sudden disaster strikes. Originality/value This study is unique as it focuses on rarely studied topic women’s vulnerability in the face of weather-related disaster in the rural setting, understanding their level of vulnerability and then identifying the associates of the same, this paper makes an exceptional contribution to the literature on women and environment in general.

Impacts of Climate Change on Rural Communities: Vulnerability and Adaptation in the Global South

“…In a study in Kerala, India, women were shown to have greater vulnerability given floods, and that they may be assisted best by access to financial resources and information programs that are targeted to them. The frequency of extreme events due to climate change necessitates a shift of approach from relief and response to preparedness and availability of resources to reduce identified vulnerability [25]. Nyahunda and associates suggested that "vulnerabilities and inequalities manifest through lack of land and property rights, discrimination from decision-making processes, poverty and lack of adequate knowledge about climate change mitigation and adaptation," and that this was aggravated by a lack of social work involvement [26].…”

Adaptation strategies of flood prone urban settlement of tegal city

“…It comes more distinguished for marginal household conditions such as the characteristics of low-income people, less developed communities, very young and very old, women, persons with disabilities and health problems. These features determine the level of vulnerability and they will be more vulnerable in times of disasters [9].…”