CLIMATE CHANGE AND ADAPTIVE CAPACITY OF WOMEN TO RURAL WATER SUPPLY IN EKITI STATE NIGERIA

Rural Nigeria still depends largely on the dictates of weather for survival and sustenance. Supply of water for domestic and agricultural production is a pre-occupation of the womenfolk. This study used focused group discussions and interviews of 400 respondents randomly selected from the two senatorial districts of Ekiti State to assess the adaptive capacity of the women folk to rural water accessibility as affected by climate change from January 2008- January 2010. Findings shows that the women in rural Ekiti have no access to information on climate change and the technological options to manage climate variability are poor, have no plan, finance, technological or any institutional support to adapt to climate change. The strategies adopted are mainly traditional. With respect to water supply, they resort to unhygienic sources of springs, streams and lakes and so the children are prone to vagaries of water related diseases. They trek long distances on farm to look for irrigation water while a few plant vegetables near streams. Majorities are idle, stay off farm and suffer from hunger in off season. Women’s poor adaptation to climate change results in decline in yields and productivity from agriculture causing fluctuations in food prices and increased number of people at risk of hunger and food insecurity.