Occupational challenges and coping strategies of women amid climatic hazards: A case study of Sagar Island, India
Women’s livelihoods, particularly those residing in coastal areas, are vulnerable due to their reliance on climate-sensitive occupations and limited adaptive capacities. Sagar Island in India is one such region, which is often affected by cyclonic storms, coastal flooding, and saltwater intrusion. This study explores the factors driving occupational changes and the coping strategies adopted by married women of reproductive age in Sagar Island. A cross-sectional survey design was employed to explore the occupational challenges and coping mechanisms among 420 purposely selected married women. Primary data were collected during June and July 2024. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were employed for statistical analysis. Findings indicated that approximately 43% of the sampled women had been compelled to change their primary occupation over the past 3 years due to climate-related hazards. Among these women, those engaged in labor and cultivation are more likely to experience occupational shifts due to climatic hazards. Logistic regression revealed that their occupations were significantly affected by cyclonic storms, coastal flooding, and saltwater intrusion. In addition, factors such as social category, housing type, economic status, the wealth index, and husband’s occupation were significantly associated with occupational shifts. The study showed that women resorted to adopting numerous coping strategies to address the challenges to their livelihoods. The study underscores the need to address socio-economic disparities to improve livelihood resilience. It also highlights the importance of targeted interventions for affected women to raise awareness about climate change, provide credit facilities for taking adaptative measures, and enhance women capacity in the face of climate change.
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