Gender and climate change : migration as an act of agency among women from the northern regions of Ghana

Abstract

The northern regions of Ghana are one of the most vulnerable regions to climate impacts due to its agriculture dependent economy, high rates of poverty, many development challenges and how the regions a located geographically. Climate change is happening in the northern regions of Ghana and its manifested mainly through drought, irregular rainfall and rising temperature that is affecting agricultural productivity. But climate impacts are not distributed equally, women and girls are disproportionately affected as a result of the unequal possession of resources in the hands of men. Climate impacts exacerbate poverty and limits economic opportunities for women and girl. Coupled with social and political challenges such as forced marriages, early betrothal and low levels of opportunities for household and public leadership; women and girls from the north are deciding by themselves to move to the south, in search for new economic opportunities, liberties, freedom and independence.