Understanding Gendered Perceptions on Climate Risks and Human Security, the Case of Mindanao, Philippines : A Participatory Appraisal Analysis

Climate Change is a critical issue paving the way for unsustainable practices in economics, politics and social life, and its impacts are not isolated from the socio-economic, political and ecological characteristics of the countries that experience these effects. In some countries from the Global South, such as the Philippines, especially in the region of Mindanao, it is observed that climate change impacts interact with the effects of state fragility described by marginalisation, clientelism, political corruption, armed conflicts, and social/gender inequalities. Unless the appropriate measures are taken in time, these areas may face increasing poverty and social tensions that can aggravate the violent conflicts that already exist; creating a vicious circle by increasing communities’ vulnerability both to climate change and conflict while weakening the state’s adaptive capacities, and further threatening different dimensions of human security. Given the general argument in academic discussions emphasising that women are more affected by conflict situations and climate change, it is important to focus on a gender dimension for analysing differentiated vulnerabilities and understandings of security between men and women who are at the intersection of these two phenomena. As the existing research that focuses on these connections from a gendered perspective regarding the case of Mindanao is limited, this project aims at filling a gap in academic discussions. The data is collected through document review, context appraisal and focus group discussions during the field work in three communities in Mindanao, and is interpreted through thematic analysis and causal security pathways. The final results of this research are useful in developing gender-sensitive climate adaptation and environmental peace-building strategies based on community voices in Mindanao as it helps identify gendered perceptions and risks through the eyes of local inhabitants.