An intersectional lens on the food- energy-water nexus; on rural women’s livelihood vulnerability. Reflection from Ndwedwe-Cibane, KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

Women and climate-change studies have neglected the resource-nexus and intersectionality perspectives. This study investigates the perceptions of climate vulnerability of rural women to food, energy and water (FEW) resources. The study assesses adaptation opportunities and constraints, using a marital lens. The methodology utilised focus group discussions (FGDs). Data collection and analysis employed participatory rural appraisal (PRA) techniques. The findings reveal both groups have high temperature but divergent rainfall perceptions evidenced by contradictions between perceptions and meteorological data. Vulnerability emerged as comparable between groups, obviating strong conclusions. Adaptation strategies indicate that single women are concerned with crops and married women with livestock. Financial barriers affect only single women. The study concludes that analysing women as a homogenous group is inadequate, and it recommends intersectionality for robust adaptation strategies.