Learning resilience: gendered adaptation and community-led water management in a resource-stressed village in a small island developing state

Purpose This study explores how a rural village (“Matelot”) in a small island developing state (Trinidad and Tobago) responds to water scarcity amidst climate variability and infrastructural deficiencies. It aims to uncover how gendered labor, social capital and grassroots agency contribute to local water resilience, and assess the limitations of community-led adaptation without sustained institutional support. Design/methodology/approach Employing an ethnographic case study methodology, the research draws on 12 months of participant observation, interviews, community surveys and focus group discussions. A feminist standpoint theoretical lens informs the inquiry, with community members, particularly women, engaged in shaping the research process. Data were thematically analyzed to capture patterns in adaptive behavior, gender roles and collective action. Findings This study identified diverse adaptive responses, including rainwater harvesting, behavioral rationing and informal sharing networks, underpinned by strong community cooperation and women’s leadership. Women are central to both labor and innovation in water resilience, yet bear disproportionate burdens. Social capital, especially bonding ties, enhances coordination during crises but is undermined by weak institutional linkages. While “Matelot” demonstrates significant local adaptive capacity, its resilience remains fragile without reliable infrastructure and external investment. The findings advocate for inclusive water governance that values grassroots knowledge, supports women’s leadership and address inequities. Originality/value By centering lived experience and gendered labor, this study advances resilience theory through a socially embedded, equity-focused lens. It contributes to climate adaptation scholarship by integrating feminist political ecology, social capital theory and community-engaged research.