Climate Vulnerability and Gendered Coping Strategies: Insights from Disaster-Prone Coastal Odisha

Abstract

Abstract: Climate-induced disasters, including floods, cyclones, and droughts, have increased in frequency and severity in coastal Odisha over the past few decades. Recurrent crop failures, livelihood disruptions, and loss of income have heightened economic stress and reduced the resilience of vulnerable communities. These impacts are often gender-differentiated, influencing how men and women respond to and cope with disaster-related challenges. This study examines gender-specific coping strategies in the flood-prone coastal regions of Puri district, Odisha. A mixed-methods approach was adopted to collect primary data from 300 households across 12 villages, along with focus group discussions, key informant interviews and case studies. The findings reveal significant gender differences in coping responses. Men largely adopted economic responses such as temporary migration for employment, livelihood diversification, wage labour in nearby towns and involvement in repair activities. Women, on the other hand, relied more on household and resource management, social support networks, and participation in self-help groups, and borrowing through community networks. Livelihood disruptions and economic insecurity resulted in susceptibility to emotional and psychological stress among men. In contrast, despite several challenges faced by women, they strengthened household resilience and disaster response through caregiving, community engagement, and social networks. Regression analysis further indicated that social capital, education, household income, and access to early warning system, substantially affected gender-differentiated disaster coping strategies. The study emphasizes the significance of social networks and community support systems to develop disaster resilience in coastal communities. The study further highlights the need for integrating gender perspectives into climate adaptation strategies to increase women’s participation, improve access to resources, and reinforce resilience in vulnerable coastal communities while providing support to men to cope with mental stress linked to change of occupation and living away from families. Keywords: climate adaptation, climate change, coping strategies, disaster resilience, gender roles, livelihood adaptation