The Gender dimension of Climate change and women’s role in Environmental protection and Natural Resource Management in South Wollo, Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia women have demonstrated unique knowledge and expertise in leading strategies to combat the effects of climate change through the management of natural resources and environment, especially at the grassroots level though not well recognized and their effort is full of challenges. This research is conducted in South Wollo, Qalu district, Ethiopia aiming to see gender impact of climate change on women’s life and women’s role in environmental management and natural resource protection to avert the risks of climate change and to scrutinize major impediments. The research employs qualitative orientation through basic qualitative survey techniques. Focus group discussion, individual interview, and participatory observation used as basic data gathering tools accompanied by a guide checklist for primary data and published and unpublished documents for secondary information. The findings of this study show that women have active body of knowledge in protecting the environment and natural resources despite various challenges emerging from political, economic, institutional and other arenas.

Key words: Gender, women, climate change, environmental protection, natural resource management