Climate change effects adaptation strategies of the female headed households: a case of Kahe ward in Moshi district, Tanzania

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine strategies used by female headed households in west Kahe in adapting climate change effects. The study objectives were, to identify activities performed by female headed households, to determine socio-economic effects of climate change on female headed households, to identify adaptation strategies of climate change implemented by female headed households and to assess key actors and their roles toward enhancing adaptation strategies of the climate change effects. The study employed cross-sectional research designs. Data and information were obtained through administration of questionnaires to 94 female headed households in Oria, Mawala, Ngasini and Kisangesangeni villages. Interviews, observations and documentary review were used in the data collection. The findings revealed that climate change effects have been observed and proven to affect different livelihood activities including agriculture activities in the study area. Change in rainfall patterns, drought and temperature increase are attributed to climate change effects in West Kahe. The study recommends that female headed households should be empowered to increase resilience capacity to climate change effects and hence improved wellbeing of the most marginalised communities.