Gender dynamics and climate variability in small-scale fish business: A case of Mwanza Region, Tanzania

Abstract

Small-scale fish businesses in Mwanza, Tanzania are crucial to the local economy, providing livelihoods and ensuring food security. However, the impacts of climate variability on gender dynamics often marginalize women in this sector, due to prevailing norms and power imbalances. This study explores how climate variability affects gender dynamics in the sector; Strategies employed by women to adapt to climate change and, how can gender-sensitive interventions enhance the resilience of small-scale fish businesses in the face of climate change. The study adopts a feminist theory framework to understand gender roles and power dynamics in shaping various social, economic, and political outcomes and Socio-ecological systems framework to analyze complex interactions between human societies and the environment. Qualitative research methods, such as interviews, focus group discussions, observation, are employed, with data analyzed thematically and discursively. The study found that climate variability affects existing gender dynamics by exacerbating women’s difficulties in accessing fish resources and creates opportunities for women to take new roles and responsibilities. The study found that women employ different strategies such as enhancing resourcefulness and diversifying income-generating activities. The study found that gender-sensitive intervention enhance the resilience of small-scale fish businesses by promoting access to climate change information; capacity-building programs on climate-smart fishing techniques, sustainable resources management and access to financial credits. The study concludes that, climate variability exacerbates gender inequalities in the sector and recommends to policymakers, stakeholders, and relevant institutions to take responsibility for implementing gender-sensitive interventions like climate information, training, and financial support to women.