Gender Dimension of Shocks Heterogeneity and Coping Strategies in Resource-Scarce Areas: A Case Study

Abstract

This study examines the gender aspect of shock and its impact on the livelihood diversification of deprived households in rural Nigeria. Two indices were constructed to account for the human-induced shock as well as the shocks that emanate from disasters related to flooding, climate variability and erosion. The results reveal higher vulnerability to disaster of natural origin, regardless of the gender of the household head, while female-headed households are more vulnerable to cattle rustling and exhibit significantly lower human development indexes than their male counterparts. Two salient observations were deduced from the shock analysis. Firstly, both disasters of natural origin and human-induced shocks negatively affect the livelihood diversification. The impact is not influenced by the perceived gender of the household head. Secondly, livelihood resources and livelihood strategies at a household’s disposal are not sufficiently resilient to trigger a positive sustainable livelihood outcome. This finding indicates the necessity for the incorporation of conventional adaptation strategies vis-à-vis the less sustainable and less formal agro-pastoral mix.