ABSTRACT
We assess the influence of women’s empowerment on household adoption of climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices related to trees in an area identified as vulnerable to climate change impacts in Nicaragua. In particular, the study aims to analyze how aspects of women’s empowerment can be part of the enabling environment for implementation of CSA practices related to the use of trees on farms. Our mixed methods research design draws on frameworks for gender transformation, women’s empowerment in agriculture, and gender equality in agricultural innovation. The quantitative analysis uses intra-household socioeconomic data collected in 2015 from women and men primary decision-makers within a Climate-Smart Village of the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) in Tuma La Dalia. We develop a probit regression model to assess the association of women’s empowerment indicators and household level variables on the implementation of CSA practices related to trees. We also use data from semi-structured interviews with women and men from communities in the territory in order to assess local normative structures surrounding gender and women’s empowerment and further explain quantitative results. Results suggest that women’s group participation and, to a lesser extent, land control, agency in decision-making and access to information are significantly associated with increased household implementation of CSA practices related to trees. Also, norms and institutions concerning gender roles can condition women’s access to productive resources and capacities to make decisions. In this way, the research highlights that if gender equality gaps among smallholder farmers are closed and the empowerment of women household members secured, there can be greater household capacities for agricultural innovation, more particularly implementation of CSA practices. While responding to household-level constraints, it will be important for CSA initiatives to address key dimensions of women’s empowerment and pursue collaborations with diverse organizations and local partners in order to promote gender transformation and incorporate strategies to reduce key gender equality gaps.
