Could access to weather information strengthen rural women and youth’s climate resilience in Nigeria?

Summary

The policy brief highlights the critical importance of providing rural women and youth with access to weather information to enhance their resilience to climate change in the agricultural sector. The brief emphasises that rural women, constituting over 60% of the agricultural labour force in Nigeria, are disproportionately vulnerable to climate change impacts due to limited access to resources and information.

Key findings from the document underscore the necessity of empowering rural women and youth with weather information to enable effective planning and adaptation strategies in the face of changing climatic conditions. The use of rural radio, text messages, and farmer-to-farmer communication emerges as crucial channels for disseminating farm information among these vulnerable groups.

The brief concludes with recommendations for enhancing access to weather information among rural women and youth, emphasising the importance of collaboration among relevant organisations and the integration of gender- responsive approaches in all interventions.

By addressing these key issues, stakeholders can work towards building the climate resilience of rural communities in Nigeria and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. There is the urgent need to bridge the information gap for rural women and youth, equipping them with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the challenges posed by climate change in the agricultural sector.