2022

Author(s): Randriamparany ST, Randrianalijaona TM

Droughts are slow-onset disasters with devastating impacts that can last for months and even years. The poorest communities are usually the hardest hit by droughts. In the Androy region of Madagascar, droughts are a constant major handicap for agriculture and farming which are the two main local economic activities. Human vulnerability to droughts differs according to age, sex, and physical conditions. The precariousness of the situation of Antandroy women caused by droughts motivated the choice of this study, which sought to understand the factors behind women's vulnerability to this risk. To study these factors, documents on gender, vulnerability, droughts and the Androy region were collected and analysed. We then conducted interviews and a survey to understand the Antandroy's living conditions. Several factors lead to women's high degree of vulnerability, such as the particular climate of Androy, household's size, duties, difficulties faced by the agricultural production, early marriage, migration and low educational levels. To contribute to the reduction of their vulnerability to droughts, Antandroy women should reinforce their adaptability by developing income-generating activities in diversified sectors, using varied seeds and protecting the environment, with the definitive eradication of slash-and burn cultivation and bushfires.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.102821