Climate change presents a considerable threat to human security, with notable gender disproportions. Women’s vulnerability to climate change has implications on agro-based livelihoods, especially the rural populace. The primary purpose of this study was to assess women’s vulnerability to climate change and the gender-skewed implications on agro-based livelihoods in rural Zvishavane, Zimbabwe. A qualitative approach that used purposive sampling techniques was adopted. Data was collected through 20 in-depth interviews with 11 de jure and 9 de facto small-scale female-headed farmer households. Two focus group discussions with mixed de facto and de jure small-scale female-headed farmer households were also conducted. Five key informant interviews were held with departmental heads of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development; the Agriculture Technical Extension Service Department; the Livestock Production Department; the Runde Rural District Council and the Meteorological Services Department. Gendered effects were noted in terms of increased roles and responsibilities for women. Observations showed that there was an increase in distances travelled by women to fetch water owing to a depleted water table. Climate-induced migration of men due to depleted livelihoods in rural areas has also increased roles and responsibilities for women. The traditional male responsibilities assumed by women included cattle herding and ox-driven ploughing. This study concluded that adaptation strategies towards vulnerability to climate change have to be gender-sensitive and area-specific. This study also recommended that response programmes and policies meant to curb existing gendered vulnerabilities should be informed by evidence because climate-change effects are unique for different geographical areas. Moreover, adaptation activities should be mainstreamed in community processes so as to reduce the burden on women and increase sustainability opportunities.

中文翻译：

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妇女对气候变化的脆弱性：性别倾斜对津巴布韦兹维沙瓦尼农村地区农业生计的影响

气候变化对人类安全构成了相当大的威胁，性别比例明显失调。妇女对气候变化的脆弱性影响到以农业为基础的生计，尤其是农村人口。本研究的主要目的是评估妇女对气候变化的脆弱性，以及津巴布韦兹维沙瓦尼农村地区以农业为基础的生计的性别偏差影响。采用了一种使用有目的的抽样技术的定性方法。数据是通过对 11 个法律上的和 9 个事实上的小规模女户主农户进行的 20 次深入访谈收集的。还与事实上和法律上混合的小型女户主农户进行了两次焦点小组讨论。与妇女事务、性别和社区发展部的部门负责人进行了五次关键知情人访谈；农业技术推广服务部；畜牧生产部；润德乡区议会和气象局。在妇女的角色和责任增加方面注意到了性别影响。观察表明，由于地下水位枯竭，妇女去取水的距离增加了。由于农村地区生计枯竭，气候引起的男性移徙也增加了妇女的作用和责任。女性承担的传统男性责任包括放牛和牛耕。该研究得出的结论是，针对气候变化脆弱性的适应战略必须具有性别敏感性和特定区域。这项研究还建议，旨在遏制现有性别脆弱性的应对计划和政策应以证据为依据，因为气候变化对不同地理区域的影响是独一无二的。此外，应将适应活动纳入社区进程的主流，以减轻妇女的负担并增加可持续发展的机会。