Impacts of climate change on livelihoods and coping strategies among rural women in Osun State, Nigeria

This study examines the gendered dimensions of climate change impacts among rural women in Osun West Senatorial District, Nigeria, where agrarian livelihoods and limited socio-economic resources heighten vulnerability to climate variability. Although climate change research in Nigeria has expanded, empirical evidence on how gendered constraints shape rural women’s adaptive capacity remains limited. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 498 rural women selected through a multistage sampling technique across 30 rural communities. Descriptive statistics and factor analysis were employed to examine climate change awareness, vulnerability, and coping strategies. Findings indicate that most respondents depend on climate-sensitive livelihoods, particularly smallholder farming, and operate within low-income conditions that constrain adaptation. Factor analysis confirmed data adequacy (KMO > 0.70) and extracted three core constructs: climate change awareness (54.65% of variance explained), vulnerability (59.90%), and coping strategies (58.43%). Awareness was primarily experiential, driven by observable environmental changes such as declining water availability and increased pest incidence. Vulnerability was shaped by crop failure, food insecurity, and livelihood instability, while coping strategies included alternative water sourcing, participation in climate-related training, and reliance on social support networks. Despite relatively high awareness, adaptive capacity remains limited by economic and institutional barriers. The study provides empirical insight into gender–climate interactions in rural Nigeria and underscores the need for gender-responsive policies that enhance women’s access to resources, extension services, and climate information while strengthening locally grounded adaptation strategies.