The Impact of Climate Change on Women in East Africa: A Comparative Study of Kenya and Uganda

The escalating global crisis of climate change has disproportionate ramifications on specific regions and demographics, notably exacerbating gender inequalities in vulnerable areas such as East Africa. This research proffers a critical, descriptive examination of the intertwined nature of climate change and gender disparities in Kenya and Uganda, both agrarian societies confronting profound climate-induced adversities. Rooted in qualitative research methodologies, this study meticulously draws from literature and firsthand accounts, aiming to understand how women, integral to these societies yet structurally disadvantaged, navigate the increasingly hostile environmental shifts. Preliminary findings indicate that women, particularly in rural settings, face exacerbated hardships due to climate change, further widening the gender gap. Additionally, these adverse effects are not merely environmental, but intrinsically social and economic, manifesting in amplified burdens in sourcing essential resources, increased migration, and deepening poverty. Furthermore, by comparing Kenya and Uganda, distinct yet interconnected, this study provides detailed insights beneficial to both academia and policy making. This study brings attention to the significant gap in current research addressing gender specific effects of climate change in East Africa. In synthesizing these intricate dimensions, this research critically contributes to a holistic understanding of climate change’s gendered impacts and the necessity for gender centric solutions in the global climate action discourse. Keywords: Ecofeminism, Climate Change, Women, East Africa