2026-10-13T08:49:48Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/34022091 2026-09-29T08:51:43Z category_26878 item_type_3 month_year_09_2026

Gendered Impacts of climate change in Inland fisheries, what have we learnt so far? Carolyn Chinguo (25136046) Climate change impacts and adaptation not elsewhere classified Climate Change Gender Inland fisheries Lake Malawi Adaptation Livelihoods Resilience <p dir="ltr">Climate change poses significant threats to small-scale fisheries, yet its gendered impacts remain insufficiently understood, particularly in inland systems. This study examined gender-differentiated impacts of climate change among fishing communities along Lake Malawi in Nkhotakota District. A cross-sectional mixed-methods approach was employed, involving over 90 respondents, focus group discussions and key informants selected from three landing sites. Data were collected through structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis, inferential and descriptive statistics.</p><p dir="ltr">The findings revealed that climate change impacts were strongly gendered. Male fishers experienced direct exposure to climate-related risks, including strong winds and hazardous lake conditions, which reduced fishing effort and catch levels. In contrast, women, predominantly engaged in fish processing and trading, were indirectly affected through reduced fish availability, increased competition, and declining incomes. Gender disparities were also evident in access to climate information, with men having greater access due to ownership of communication devices and their role in fishing activities.</p><p dir="ltr">Adaptation strategies differed across gender groups, with men adopting production-oriented measures such as upgrading fishing gear and changing fishing locations, while women relied on post-harvest and livelihood diversification strategies.</p><p dir="ltr">Climate change affects men and women differently within inland fisheries because of existing gender roles and unequal access to resources and information. Strengthening the resilience of inland fisheries requires gender-responsive climate adaptation policies that improve equitable access to climate information, technology, financial resources, and decision-making processes while addressing both ecological and socio-economic vulnerabilities across the fisheries value chain.</p> 2026-09-29T08:51:43Z Dataset Dataset 10.6084/m9.figshare.34022091.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Gendered_Impacts_of_climate_change_in_Inland_fisheries_what_have_we_learnt_so_far_/34022091 CC BY 4.0