Climate Change and Adaptive Capacity of Women to Water Stress in Urban Centers of Nigeria: Emerging Concerns and Reactions

Abstract

This paper examines the adaptive capacity of women in urban Nigeria to water stress resulting from climate change. Data were collected during both the rainy and dry seasons. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used in selecting 320 respondents from six city centres. Data analysis revealed that about 69% of these women rely on wells as a main source of water for domestic activities – drinking, washing, bathing and watering. Further analysis showed that about three-quarter rely on well water for drinking. However, on an adaptive measure, we found a sizeable number of women who resort to trekking in order to obtain water for domestic use, especially during the dry season. It was also revealed that rain water was occasionally stored in kegs and jerrycans for use during the dry season. Results using the Tobit model showed age, household size, educational status and income as determinants of the different water sources harnessed. While the coefficients of age, educational status and income were positive, those of gender, household size and primary occupation were negative. It is therefore suggested that more efforts are geared toward the education of women in order to enhance their income earning potential. Improvements of infrastructural facilities will help reduce the impacts of climate change, and proper sewage disposal and environmental sanitation will help keep urban streams in good condition.