Building Resilient Livelihoods: Women’s Role in Home Gardening and Climate-Smart Agriculture in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study examines the impact of gender-responsive climate-smart agriculture interventions on rural women’s livelihoods and resilience in Vavuniya, Northern Sri Lanka. Amid post-conflict recovery and increasing climate stress, the Climate Resilient Integrated Water Management Project implemented a suite of adaptive strategies, including home gardening kits, water-efficient irrigation, aquaculture training, and women-led agro-enterprise support. Using a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative project data (n=2,644 households) and qualitative insights from in-depth interviews (n=37), the study assesses outcomes for women participating in home and commercial gardening programs from 2018 to 2023. Results reveal that over 85% of female beneficiaries now engage in income generating activities, with improved food security, market access, and leadership roles in community decision-making. These interventions not only enhanced adaptive capacity and household income but also contributed to shifting traditional gender norms. The findings highlight the transformative potential of integrated, gender focused CSA strategies in building resilient rural livelihoods under climate stress.