The Relevance of Gendered Division of Labour to Sustain Indigenous Livelihood Resources in the Era of Climate Change

Abstract

Rural communities procure household food requirements by raising cattle and subsistence crops as well as by collecting wild edible plant materials, which are recently characterized by poor production as a result of climate change. The present study described the impacts of climate change on indigenous food resources and discusses the importance of indigenous gendered division of labour in food procurement using these resources today. Participatory research with a sample of 155 participants was used to collect data. The study findings show that the indigenous division of labour for men and women exists to a lesser extent for the provision of household food requirements. The natural resources exploited for household food security are climate-reliant, and therefore, their production is reduced due to unfavorable rainfall and temperature episodes. Paid labour led men and women to leave their cultural responsibilities, a practice that compromised the indigenous division of labour. The study contributes to the need for a coordinated labour force suggested to ensure food security, which could aid in attaining Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Keywords: Climate change, livelihood resources, gendered-labour division, patriarchy, Limpopo Province