Gender Inequality, Climate Change, and Armed Conflict: Exploring the Triple Challenges for Female Farmers in Northwestern Cameroon

Armed conflict amidst climate challenges significantly impacts on men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. In dominantly agrarian communities, climate vulnerability aggravates food insecurity, especially for women whose rights to factors of production are defined by patriarchy and rigid norms. In Cameroon, small-scale agriculture is in the hands of ill-equipped farmers, mainly women confronting multiple crises including, land rights, capital, climate change, and recently, armed conflict. This paper examines how gender relations, climate change, and armed conflict intersects to impact women small farmers in a country with inadequate agricultural infrastructures. Interviews were conducted with farmers in Santa, a locality ridden by climate change and armed conflict. Findings suggest that climate variability has strained farmers’ outputs and armed conflict creates insecurity which affects farmers’ access to their farms, factors of production, and markets. Both endanger local productivity, livelihood, and food security. The situation of women farmers is exacerbated because of gender inequality and entrenched gender roles. Robust climate and conflict resolution measures are indispensable for the survival of these communities.