Intersectionality is gaining credence in explaining the complexities in rural women’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. This study is framed on the assumption that rural women are likely to be affected differently by climate change due to cultural differences. The life history approach was utilised to conduct empirical research in the Bamenda Highlands Region, Cameroon on ethnicity and differential effects of climate change among female farmers in the communities of Kom and Oku representing a matrilineal and patrilineal communities respectively. The research found that single and married women in both matrilineal and patrilineal societies experienced similar patterns of vulnerability relating to socio-economic and cultural discrimination stemming from patriarchal dominance. However, the study also highlighted that contrary to other communities women are not more economically empowered under matrilineal systems than their counterparts in patrilineal societies. In contrast, widows in patrilineal societies were found to have more autonomy in the control of land and other resources than those in matrilineal societies. The study contributes to growing interest in the cultural dimensions of vulnerability to climate change and recommends the inclusion of cultural perspectives in the design and implementation of adaption policies, programs and actions.

在解释农村妇女易受气候变化影响的脆弱性的复杂性方面，交叉性越来越受到人们的重视。这项研究的前提是，由于文化差异，农村妇女可能会受到气候变化的不同影响。利用生活史方法在喀麦隆的Bamenda高地地区进行了关于分别代表母系和父系社区的Kom和Oku社区的女性农民的族裔和气候变化差异影响的实证研究。研究发现，在母系和父系社会中，单身和已婚妇女在由父权制统治引起的社会经济和文化歧视方面也经历了类似的脆弱性模式。然而，该研究还强调指出，与其他社区相反，在母系制度下，妇女在经济上没有比在父系社会中的同等地位更大的权力。相反，发现父系社会的寡妇在土地和其他资源的控制上比母系社会的寡妇拥有更多的自治权。这项研究促使人们对气候变化脆弱性的文化方面的兴趣日益浓厚，并建议将文化观点纳入适应政策，方案和行动的设计和实施中。