Gendered impacts of Climate Change in Africa: The case of Cyclone Idai, Chimanimani, Zimbabwe, March 2019

Abstract

This paper seeks to discuss the nexus between climate change and social relations in Africa using
a case study approach of Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani district, Zimbabwe. Disaster induced
displacement remains another affirmation of the flawed notion of pre and post-disaster
preparedness and human security as a gendered caveat. This paper theoretically and empirically
unravels the incessant feminisation of socio-economic insecurity in the contexts of forced
displacement post Cyclone Idai. The researcher alludes to the prevalence of epitomising gender
dichotomies of victimhood among displaced men and women, yet again framing social relations
and human security on masculine-feminine asymmetries. The article empirically espouses
feminized intricacies of security from the everyday experiences and narratives of men and women
in the case study area as a basis for pragmatic solutions that should inform strategies and policies
meant to deconstruct the androcentric anchorages militating against the equitable strategies in
post-displacement contexts. Methodologically the paper proceeds through a qualitative research
orientation where in-depth interviews and observations constituted the major data collection tools.
Chief among the numerous findings of this study was not only that post-displacement scenarios
are reminiscent of post-conflict contexts in terms of gendering human security, but, that any effort
to emancipate women should pragmatically embrace gender as an essential variable.