Climate Change Resilience of Single Female Headed Families in Mongu District, Western Zambia

Abstract

This chapter shares findings of a study which assessed knowledge, while ascertaining effects and describing responses to climate change of single female headed households. It used a descriptive research design with 150 participants. Cluster, simple rotary, and purposive sampling methods were used. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and questionnaires, analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings revealed that the single female headed households rated their knowledge on climate change to be low (32%), very low (25%), good (19), very good (13%), and not sure (11). Knowledge on the causes of climate change where it is caused by God (28%), deforestation (23%), emission of gases (18%), while 26% and 5% were not sure and had no response respectively. Effects include loss of farming productivity (35%), loss of fishing productivity (27%), reduced availability of water and wood fuel (20%), rise in temperature (10%), and displacement of households (8%). Climate change is impacting livelihoods of single female headed households, but traces of mitigation abound.