Gender dynamics and climate variability in small-scale fish business: a case of Mwanza Region, Tanzania
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Date
2023
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Publisher
Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences
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.
Description
Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, pp. 284-293
Keywords
Gender dynamics, Climate variability, Small-scale fish business, Tanzania