This study investigates intra household level decision-making in two rural districts in the Mt Elgon region. Data was collected from 442 respondents using a household survey. Pearson Chi-Square ( 2), Multinomial and logistic regressions were used to understand the gender dimensions of decision making and barriers to climate change adaptation. The study demonstrates that coping and adaptation decisions within households are undertaken either as sole or joint decisions. Sole decisions are made either by the husband or by the wife while joint decisions are made by the husband and wife together or with other household members. However, most coping and adaptation decisions were often made either by the husband or by both the husband and wife. Seldom were decisions made individually by the wife or jointly with other household members. The study concludes that men or women may make decisions on certain coping and adaptation practices and not others implying that the kinds of coping and or adaptation practices will also determine who makes decisions.

This document is an output of a CIFOR-led project, entitled: "Adaptation of people to climate change in East Africa: Ecosystem services, risk reduction and human well-being". (AdaptEA). This project is being implemented in collaboration with Makerere University, the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) and the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF). Primary funding for this project was provided through a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation (2011 CRD 306). Complementary funding was received from two CIFOR-led projects funded by AusAID (63560) and UNITAR (G.EGP.2011.03). Additional project information and publications are found on the project manager’s staff page, Aaron J.M. Russell.

Authors: Bomuhangi, A.; Nabanoga, G.; Namaalwa, J.; Jacobson, M.; Gombya-Ssembajjwe, W.

Subjects: climate change, adaptation, gender, decision making

Publication type: Journal Article, Non-ISI, Publication

Year: 2016