Socio-economic determinants of vulnerability to climate variability and change across gender in southeast Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed vulnerability problems in Southeast Nigeria. The specific objectives were to, assess vulnerability to impacts of climate variability and change (CVC) and their differences across gender and identify socio-economic determinants of vulnerability in the area. Mixed research methods and approaches, including key informant interview, focus group discussion, field observations and household survey (questionnaire), were used to collect qualitative and quantitative data. The data were analysed and presented using mean, chi-square and multinomial logit regression. Common vulnerability problems for the entire sample (pooled data) as well as men and women headed households include poverty, less ownership of asset, rain fed nature of farming among others. Vulnerability conditions of women in terms of their institutional and user characteristics, showed that they were significantly different (p≤0.05) from men in issues of limited availability of cropping lands (X²=67.71), political will-power (X²=64.48) and aids (X²=59.12). Socioeconomic characteristics of respondents affects their vulnerability problems such as limited availability of aids (P ≤ =0.000; Cox and Snell R² = 0.53; -2log likelihood ratio = 45.78); less ownership of assets among others. Socio economic determinants of vulnerability include age, income, education among others. The study recommends the use of gender-specific and equitable interventions such as providing trainings in line with needs of men and women to improve their information, technologies, knowledge and capacity to reduce vulnerability in the area.

Keywords: vulnerability; gender; climate change; socio-economic determinant