CHAPTER 5: WOMEN’S VULNERABILITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON
5.2 Vulnerability of women’s FEW resources
5.2.1 Resource and hazard mapping and resource listing
This section presents the outcomes of the resource and hazard mapping and resource listing exercise. Resource and hazard maps were drawn by both single (plate 5.2.1.2) and married women (plate 5.2.1.3) during the FGD, and are important because on the one hand resources essential for livelihoods were identified and their location established and on the other hand vulnerability to climatic changes was established. Resource and hazard mapping was also useful for completing the vulnerability matrix (Cross et al., 2006). Resources under the five capital categories which influence livelihood strategies adopted by women were identified through the use of the SLF (table 5.2.1.1).
Resource and hazard mapping and resource listing identified the river water, land including the mountain, forests and livestock as the main natural resources essential for livelihoods as seen in column one (table 5.2.1.1). A perennial river known as Ichameni flows through the mountain. All water is collected from this river but at different locations, for example at the top and/or bottom of the mountain. The mountain is also known as Ichameni mountain, it encompasses a forest, which provides firewood and pasture for livestock (Plate 5.2.1.1).
When the researcher observed a fence around the mountain she enquired and was told that
99 livestock are herded there to graze and that gates are locked to restrict livestock mobility in order to prevent them from damaging crops because during the day children are at school and there is no one to herd them. There are also two major gardens, one close to the court, and the other close to the clinic. In addition most homesteads have small gardens close by for control purposes.
Women identified five physical resources as seen in the second column (table 5.2.1.1). These resources were homesteads, roads, educational, sporting, spiritual, administrative, social and health establishments (plate 5.2.1.2 and 5.2.1.3). From the maps it evident that homesteads are scattered but generally clustered next to the school, clinic and Ichameni mountain. Below the establishments are listed:
• Educational: Emakhasini Primary School, identifiable on the maps. Goza high school was not drawn by participants but is in the study area probably because it was built recently.
• Sporting: A football field with toilets
• Spiritual: Two church establishments
• Administrative: Tribal court
• Social amenities: A community hall, and two tuck shops
• Health: One clinic served the traditional area
Table 5.2.1.1: Women’s (both single and married) livelihood capitals
Natural Physical Human Financial Social
resources resources resources resources resources
Water Houses Education Savings group Co-operatives
Land Clinic Sewing skills Employment ABET group
Forests School Cooking skills Sewing Women’s' baking groups Livestock Roads Farming skills Zulu beadwork Women's sewing groups
Livestock Bead making sills Social grants Football field Weaving (mats) Petty trading Church Caring for the family
Court Child rearing
Hall Trading skills
Women identified several human resources as listed in column three (table 5.2.1.1). As mentioned before human resources are essential to exploit the other four capital categories
100 (DFID, 1999). Financial resources were also identified as seen in column four. It was established that women’s financial status is dependent on several income avenues including social grants. Literature reveals that rural households rely on social grants as a source of income, yet social grants are unsustainable but do provide invaluable relief during ‘shocks and stresses’ (Pereira et al., 2014). Surprisingly married women did not mention remittances from husbands as an income source yet several studies have highlighted the importance of remittances in South African households (see Biyase 2012). Upon probing a married woman shared that she gets remittances from her husband but not regularly and that the value at times is negligible compared to household expenditures. In support of women’s sentiments, Le Goff and Salomone (2015) revealed that male migrants remit less frequently and remit a lower amount in comparison to female migrants. In Angola wives are remitted by their husbands however the male heads (for example, husband brother) decide how the money should be used, as a consequence some women have reported no change in their financial position (Lopez-Ekra et al., 2011). Literature also reveals that men usually remit for investment purposes and not direct consumption this may also be the reason why women did not mention remittances as a source of income (Lubambu, 2014). What becomes apparent is that remittances are not the only or prime source of income for married women.
Social resources are demonstrated in four ways. Firstly, women were mobilized by the extension officer to form co-operatives. Secondly, women formed Adult Basic Education and Training - ABET groups. Thirdly, women organized themselves into baking and fourthly sewing groups. It appeared that there was a breakdown of social capital since farming co- operatives were no longer functional and ABET classes had ceased. Breakdown of social capital in eastern Botswana has contributed to reduced household resilience when exposed to shocks (Motsholapheko et al., 2011). This highlights the importance of social capital as a resource to deal with climate change and associated impacts.
101 Plate 5.2.1.1: Ichameni mountain and forest (Source: author)
All resources identified are used as either inputs or services by women. According to Nelson et al. (2010:20) “balance between the five capitals is also important, because minimum levels of one capital may be necessary to effectively make use of another”. Concerning climate hazards both single and married women identified strong winds as the cause of major damage in the area. Strong wind exposure is a problem mainly in the area surrounding the hall and school. All other climate variables affect all areas the same way. Single women’s resource and hazard map corroborated with married women’s map. Therefore, there is no difference in situated knowledge between both groups of women probably because of gendered roles and responsibilities that do not change regardless of marital status as long as you are a woman.
102 Plate 5.2.1.2: Resource and hazard map by single women (Source: author)
103 Plate 5.2.1.3: Resource and hazard map by married women (Source: author)
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