Decision-making capacity to address climate-induced food insecurity within women-led groups in Southern Mali

Keywords: Climate Change, Feminist Geographies, Africa, Food Security, Environmental Perceptions
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Saturday
Session Start / End Time: 2/26/2022 08:00 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/26/2022 09:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 7

Abstract

This study examines climate change in Mali, and its impacts on food security, through the experiences of women, using feminist political ecology as an analytical framework. Our research builds upon previous work that explores the intra-gender power imbalances that exacerbate the impacts of climate change within agrarian households. We find that polygynous households are sites of power differences, based on age and gender, which perpetuate food insecurity. Within households, women are often excluded from decision-making processes that help mitigate climate-stressed food production. Beyond households, options to collaborate and seek support do exist, and are successful when women are granted agency to determine how resources are used. However, these strategies are available to a minority of individuals, and access is often limited to elder women. That said, despite the potential of women-led groups within and outside of households, such groups are subject to unequal distribution of power. As a result, women-led networks are not yet able to thoroughly address climate-sensitive agricultural challenges and continue to marginalize young women.