The Impact of Climate Change on Women in Forest Villages: The Case of Kastamonu, Türkiye

Abstract

Scientific research demonstrates that climate change disproportionately increases both the workload and vulnerability of women living in rural, nature-dependent communities. Although previous studies have highlighted the general vulnerability of rural women, there is a lack of research specifically addressing the impacts on women in T & uuml;rkiye's forest villages particularly those in Kastamonu Province. This study investigates the effects of recent, significant climate change on forest villages in Kastamonu, which has the highest number and population of forest villages in T & uuml;rkiye. The research focuses on the lived experiences of women in these communities. In Kastamonu, the rural population constitutes 37.2% of the total population, encompassing 1054 villages (1021 of which are classified as forest villages), with 70,384 women among the 141,622 rural residents. Within the scope of this study, surveys and interviews were conducted with 523 female forest village residents across 92 villages. The data collected via Likert scales were analyzed using chi-square tests, correlation analysis, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and independent samples t-tests. The findings reveal that women with lower levels of education and those facing higher rates of poverty have experienced the effects of climate change most intensely over the past decade, primarily as a result of increased workloads. Livelihoods have become particularly vulnerable in the last five years. The workload of women in forest villages has risen due to factors such as climate change, drought, wildlife pressures, and unpredictable weather events. In light of these results, the study offers policy recommendations aimed at strengthening the adaptive capacity of women in forest villages to better cope with the impacts of climate change.