17. Gendered Adaptations to Climate Change: A Case Study from the Philippines

Over recent decades, climate change has rapidly become a serious threat to human society and well being. One of the key identified effects of changing climate is the expected increase in flooding events. Flooding, brought about by heavy rainfall and frequent typhoons, is predicted to increase in a climate change prone country like the Philippines. As a country which often experiences climate-related disasters, men and women have developed adaptation strategies that make them resilient to extreme weather events. Using gender-sensitive qualitative methods, this study shows the gendered adaptation to flooding in rice farming communities in Nueva, Ecija Philippines. Based on the initial results of the study, men and women adapt to flooding according to their traditional roles. Moreover, due to changing weather patterns which greatly affect their livelihoods, men and women have assumed new roles. This alteration of gender roles has significant impacts on men and women farmers and on the welfare of their households. This study highlights the importance of understanding the gendered adaptation strategies and their consequences that can provide a basis for designing long term strategies for adaptations to climate variability.