Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Climate change has intensified the frequency of extreme weather events, such as droughts, which are expected to worsen without mitigation efforts. While drought impacts on rural areas are well-documented, their effects on urban economies and gender-specific labour markets in African countries remain underexplored. This study investigates the gender-differential employment effects of droughts in agriculture, upper non-farm, and lower non-farm sectors at national, urban, and rural levels from 2005 to 2020.
Using an event study difference-in-difference design, the results reveal that women in rural areas experience a significant increase in agricultural employment rising by 46 %, while men show smaller gains. Nationally, male employment in the agriculture sector declines by 30 % while women’s employment grows. In urban areas, both genders experience moderate increases in agricultural employment, but women suffer sharper declines in the non-farm sectors, particularly in upper non-farm jobs. These findings suggest that women, especially in rural areas, rely more on agriculture as a fallback during droughts, while men’s broader employment opportunities expose them to greater national-level vulnerabilities. In urban areas, women in non-farm sectors are particularly affected, highlighting limited options for adaptation.
The paper concludes that targeted interventions are needed to prevent droughts from exacerbating gender inequalities, especially in non-farm sectors. Policies that expand women’s access to diverse employment opportunities are critical for promoting equitable economic recovery in the face of climate change.