Bridging the Gender Divide in Climate Action: Enhancing Resilience and Reducing Methane Emissions in Smallholder Goat Production

Professor Never Assan
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Professor Never Assan: Zimbabwe Open University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture Management, Bulawayo Regional Campus, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2025, vol. 9, issue 3, 992-1008

Abstract: Smallholder goat production is a vital livelihood strategy for millions of people, particularly women, in developing countries. However, it also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, which has a global warming potential 28 times higher than carbon dioxide over a 100-year time frame. Climate change is a pressing issue with far-reaching consequences for the environment, human health, and agrarian rural economy. Smallholder goat farmers, particularly women, are among the most vulnerable due to their limited resources, lack of climate information, disparity in access to credit and markets, and dependence on natural resources. This study aims to enhance the resilience of smallholder goat production systems, reduce methane emissions, and improve livelihoods for women smallholder farmers by addressing their specific needs and challenges. A gender-sensitive approach is needed to enhance resilience and reduce methane emissions in smallholder goat production. Women face significant barriers to adopting climate-resilient practices, such as limited access to information and training on climate-resilient practices, and cultural and social barriers. These factors make it difficult for women to invest in these practices, adopt new technologies, and control over resources, which can hinder their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. There is a significant research gap on the specific needs and challenges of women smallholder farmers in the context of climate change. This study aims to address this gap by exploring the intersections between gender, climate change, and smallholder goat production, and identifying strategies for enhancing resilience and reducing methane emissions. In conclusion, policies that consider gender in small-scale goat farming are crucial for advancing the rural development, enhancing resilience, and lowering emissions from ruminants. These approaches simultaneously work to narrow the gender gap and promote climate-friendly practices. Key recommendations include supporting women’s participation in decision-making, providing access to information for women smallholder farmers to adopt climate-resilient practices, and monitoring and evaluating the impact of climate-resilient practices on resilience and methane emissions in smallholder goat production systems.

Date: 2025
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