What specific climate challenges are women farmers in rural areas facing, and how do these differ from the challenges faced by male farmers?

1. Key finding

Overall
Women in developing countries have significantly slower adoption rates of new agricultural technologies than men, primarily because they have less access to the information, resources, and support services needed to effectively implement these technologies.

Women and girls related
Rural women often rely heavily on agriculture for their livelihood and security, making them particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

2 Short summary
The review highlights the significant gender gap in agricultural technology adoption, with women farmers having lower adoption rates than men in developing countries. This disparity stems from various factors, including limited access to land, water, financial resources, information, and labour-saving technologies. Additionally, women’s exclusion from decision-making processes and underrepresentation in research and extension, limit the development and dissemination of gender-responsive technologies. To bridge this gap, the review proposes a holistic approach that empowers women farmers, develops gender-responsive technologies and transforms institutional and policy environments. By addressing both demand-side and supply-side constraints, a more equitable and inclusive agricultural innovation system can be achieved, leading to greater adoption of technologies by women farmers and sustainable agricultural development.

3. Long summary

3.1 PICOS 

Population: 

Women in developing countries

Intervention: 

Gender-sensitive projects and interventions on technological innovations. Links between the organizations and institutions that connect farmers to technology. 

Outcome:

It explores ways to improve these connections and make them more supportive of both women and men farmers adopting new technologies

Study design: 

Peer-reviewed publications and grey literature published from 2000 onwards. 35 Case studies

3.2 Risk of bias: Not assessed

3.3 Publication bias: Not assessed

3.4 Findings 

Women farmers consistently experience slower rates of technology adoption compared to men due to unequal access to resources, information, and decision-making power. This disparity is not necessarily because women are less inclined to adopt new technologies, but rather because they face a multitude of demand- and supply-side constraints including limited access to complementary inputs, services, credit, land, and extension services. While technologies aim at improving efficiency and reducing labor, they can inadvertently exacerbate existing inequalities. For instance, these technologies may displace women from their jobs as tasks are shifted to men or mechanized, leaving them with fewer employment opportunities. Moreover, these advancements, including labor-saving and transport technologies, can increase women's workload without necessarily granting them greater control over the resulting income, further entrenching existing power imbalances.

Additionally, socio-cultural norms often restrict women's participation in agriculture, limit their access to new technologies and information, and result in the development of technologies that do not adequately address their needs and constraints. The review indicates that addressing these inequalities requires interventions that explicitly target women's specific needs and constraints, while also considering the broader social and political context.

The prevailing notion of a dichotomy between "male crops" (cash crops) and "female crops" (subsistence crops) further marginalizes women by limiting resources and attention for their agricultural activities. 

The review identifies demand- and supply-side constraints and opportunities related to technology adoption and the impact of these technologies on women and men farmers. 

It is also highlighted that women farmers face major barriers to adopting agricultural technologies due to exclusion from decision-making, limited access to information, training, credit, and land, as well as male-focused extension services and policies. Cultural norms and underrepresentation in research further limit their opportunities. To close this gap, the review recommends participatory approaches that involve women in technology development, targeted training in skills and literacy, and reforms to institutions and policies to ensure equal access to resources. A holistic, gender-sensitive strategy is essential for equitable and sustainable agricultural progress.

3.5 Sensitivity analysis: Not assessed

4. AMSTAR 2 assessment of the review

5. Count of references to the following words 

1. Key finding 

Overall
Vulnerable populations in the Global South, particularly women, children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly are disproportionately impacted by climate change and its associated disasters. This vulnerability stems from various interconnected factors.

Women and girls related
Climate change severely impacts women farmers. Food insecurity rises as women, primary food providers, struggle with disrupted production. Male out-migration further burdens women with increased household responsibilities.

2. Short summary
The review highlights that populations such as women, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly, are disproportionately affected by climate change. This vulnerability stems from socioeconomic inequalities, gender discrimination, limited access to resources, and cultural marginalization. To address this, a multifaceted approach is needed that includes addressing underlying social inequalities, developing inclusive policies and programs, empowering these communities, and implementing international frameworks effectively

3. Long summary

3.1 PICOS 

Population: 

Vulnerable groups impacted by climate change

Intervention:

How climate change affects vulnerable groups, 

Outcome:

To identify patterns and trends in the data

Study design: 

Peer-reviewed journal articles published in English between 2018 and 2022 

3.2 Risk of bias: Not assessed

3.3 Publication bias: Not assessed

3.4 Findings 

Climate change has a severe impact on marginalized groups—especially women, children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly—due to entrenched social, economic, and political inequalities and the erosion of traditional knowledge systems. These groups often lack access to education, decision-making, and essential resources, making it harder to adapt to climate shifts. Disruption of Indigenous knowledge further weakens community resilience. Existing international frameworks often fall short in addressing their specific adaptation and mitigation needs. Women farmers in rural areas face acute challenges, as climate events like floods and droughts reduce agricultural yields and create food insecurity. Gender inequality, restricted mobility, and exposure to gender-based violence—particularly in shelters and temporary camps—compound these risks. When men migrate for work, women are left to manage households alone, often with fewer resources and greater exposure to violence and economic strain. Addressing these challenges requires inclusive, gender-responsive policies that recognize and respond to the complex needs of vulnerable communities.

3.5 Sensitivity analysis: Not assessed

4. AMSTAR 2 assessment of the review

 5. Count of references to the following words