Impacts of climate disasters on women and food security in Bolivia

Throughout Bolivia, the vulnerability of women and men to the impact of climate disasters is unequal owing to regional and gender-related differences. Given the diversity of the Bolivian landscape, we analyze a scenario in which specific regional damage occurs in different economic sectors owing to adverse climatic events. Therefore, using a gendered macro-micro model, we present an ex-post analysis of climate disaster-induced damages to food security and women's food poverty that occurred between 2013 and 2014. The simulation reveals negative impacts on the Bolivian economy, particularly on agriculture. Food availability is reduced, food prices increase, and the household's economic capacity to access food decreases. Consequently, food insecurity and poverty worsen, with female-headed households bearing the brunt of the burden. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate a negative impact on employment and increased domestic burdens, particularly among women in the highlands. These results suggest the importance of gender mainstreaming in climate disaster analysis and prevention policies.

Automated summary

This study examines the unequal vulnerability of women and men to climate disasters in Bolivia, focusing on the regional and gender-related differences. The findings highlight the negative impacts of climate disasters on the economy, especially on agriculture, leading to reduced food availability, increased food prices, and decreased economic capacity to access food. Female-headed households bear the brunt of the burden, experiencing worsened food insecurity and poverty. Furthermore, the study reveals the negative impact of climate disasters on employment and increased domestic burdens, particularly among women in the highlands. These results emphasize the importance of gender mainstreaming in climate disaster analysis and prevention policies.