Men and Women's Adaptation to Climate Change : The Cases of Aquaculture and Salt Production in Ha Tinh Coastal Area of Viet Nam

Abstract

Climate change is affecting men and women differently, influencing their priorities and adaptation strategies for coping with the challenges. The challenge of climate change could impede people’s livelihood opportunities in terms of salt production and aquaculture, particularly of those living in the coastal areas, affecting their lives and production greatly. In this study, the researcher has identified the impacts of climate change on women and men’s salt production and aquaculture, as well as the ways they are currently responding to these changes in two rural communes in the North Central coastal area of Viet Nam which are predicted to be severely impacted by sea level rise and other climate change impacts. Qualitative research has been predominantly used and data collected through household interviews, focus group discussions, informal talks, observations, as well as a literature review. The results reveal that both men and women perceive climate change as a serious threat to their salt production and aquaculture operations; the impact of climate change affects men and women differently and their adaptation strategies differ correspondingly; and their coping and adaptation strategies to the gendered impacts of climate change are unlikely to be sufficient in some cases, particularly for women. While their coping strategies are unlikely to be sufficient, other adaptation options that have long-term implications do not appear to be available for them yet. To date, there is little evidence that Viet Nam has seriously considered the gendered impacts of climate change on people’s production and life as well as the implications for gender equality in the two coastal communes where this study was conducted. The researcher hopes that the information provided in this study encourages immediate consideration and action by the responsible local governmental agencies, as well as in the action agenda of different levels in the country.