Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

College

College of Education and International Services

Program

Leadership PhD

First Advisor

Sharon Aka

Second Advisor

Gustavo Gregorutti

Third Advisor

Tanh Nguyen

Abstract

Problem

Rural livelihood faces significant challenges due to the increasing frequency and severity of climate change impacts. However, the development of women’s livelihood resilience remains constrained by gender-blind policies, limited sex-disaggregated data, and a lack of integration of gender-specific needs and priorities in resilience-building interventions. This study aims to address these critical gaps. This study aims at exploring the perceived support needs of rural agrarian women in building household livelihood resilience to climate change. Specifically, it seeks to (1) understand how household livelihood resilience is perceived by rural agrarian women, and (2) identify the support they require to effectively adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Method

This study employed a qualitative methodology within a participatory feminist research framework combined with a quantitative methodology, emphasizing collaboration with rural women as active contributors to data collection and analysis. A case study approach focused on An Giang and Soc Trang provinces in the Mekong River Delta (MRD), two regions highly vulnerable to climate change. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and analyzed by a qualitative analysis process, historical event tracking, and descriptive statistical analyses using R programming. CATWOE analysis was additionally employed to explore systemic factors impacting livelihood resilience, providing a comprehensive understanding of rural women’s support needs.

Results

The research identified major climate-related events impacting the MRD since 2000, including storms, saline intrusion, and heatwaves. These events significantly disrupt rural livelihoods, underscoring the urgent need for targeted resilience-building measures. Rural women displayed limited understanding of resilience as a transformative concept, with adaptation strategies focused on immediate survival rather than long-term planning. Key barriers to resilience included financial constraints, restricted access to resources and technology, and entrenched gender norms limiting women’s leadership and decision-making roles. While local governments, women’s associations, and community networks provide some support, gaps in accessibility and sufficiency remain. Women emphasized the need for financial assistance, vocational training, access to technology, and expanded community support networks.

Conclusions

In conclusion, addressing the support needs of rural women is essential for enhancing household livelihood resilience and achieving sustainable development in climate-affected regions. This requires integrating gender-sensitive approaches, strengthening local ecosystems, and fostering community-led initiatives to empower women as agents of change.

Subject Area

Agriculture--Economic aspects; Women; Climatic changes;

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