Gender and Perception of Climate Change in Ethiopia

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Abstract

This article empirically examines whether there is any gender difference in perception of climate change among rural women and men in Ethiopia. In particular, it investigates whether gender roles in household and farm work can expose rural women and men to different types of shocks that can sharpen their perception of climate change. It also examines how their unequal access to agricultural extension services and farmers’ networks lead to unequal access to information that can confirm or reinforce women’s and men’s experience-based perception of climate change. Finally, it explores whether female members’ voices within the household can influence climate change perception by the head of household. Using the 2004–05 Ethiopian agricultural household survey data, the study adopts the sampling probability weighted logit and general maximum entropy logit methods in its analysis. The results indicate that women are less likely to perceive climate change compared to men due to unequal access to agricultural extension services and farmers’ networks. The study findings also show that women’s experience of health shocks, access to extension services, and ability to express their views can increase the likelihood of the household head’s awareness of climate change.