A gendered analysis of perception and adaptation to climate change among High Mountain farmers: a case study of Nagar District, Pakistan

Climate change affects male and female farmers differently, yet research on gender-specific perceptions and adaptation remains limited in Pakistan, particularly in high mountain areas. Understanding these differences is crucial for developing equitable and effective adaptation strategies. This study aims to fill this gap by examining gender-based differences in climate change perceptions and adaptations among high mountain farmers in Nagar District, Pakistan, providing insights to inform targeted policies and interventions. Data were collected from a randomly selected sample of 430 farmers at the household level using a structured survey questionnaire. The analysis employed descriptive statistics, an independent sample t-test, and a Chi-square test. The descriptive results indicate that male and female farmers do not significantly differ in their general understanding of climate change. However, the independent sample t-test reveals significant gender differences in climate change adaptation. Additionally, the Chi-square test shows a significant association between gender and climate change adaptation. These findings underscore the need for governments and non governmental organisations to formulate gender-responsive climate policies and mainstream gender in climate adaptation strategies, as well as implement tailored support programmes that address the distinct adaptation needs of male and female farmers in high mountain communities.