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1. Raindrop in the drought? Vulnerability to climate shocks and the role of social protection in Zambia

Author:
Katrin Gasior, Pia Rattenhuber, Adnan Shahir, and Anna Zasova
Publication Date:
12-2024
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
Zambia’s reliance on rain-fed agriculture makes its economy and population highly vulnerable to frequent droughts and irregular rainfall. This paper assesses the role of social protection, specifically the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) program, in mitigating drought-induced poverty and consumption declines. Using the MicroZAMOD microsimulation model and districtlevel rainfall data, we find that rainfall shocks significantly increase poverty and reduce household consumption, disproportionately affecting the poorest households. While the current SCT program provides some relief, reforms to eligibility criteria, particularly removing the household composition requirement, could improve targeting, expand coverage, and strengthen resilience against climate-related economic shocks.
Topic:
Agriculture, Climate Change, Tax Systems, Vulnerability, and Social Protection
Political Geography:
Africa and Zambia

2. Dancing on the grid: electricity crises, manufacturing energy vulnerability, and jobs in South Africa

Author:
Gideon Ndubuisi, Elvis Korku Avenyo, and Rex Asiama
Publication Date:
06-2024
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
South Africa’s current electricity crises have worsened, placing the country on an uncertain and turbulent economic trajectory. To identify the manufacturing sub-sectors that are most vulnerable to this crises, we use the input–output matrices for the period between 1993 and 2021 to develop a sub-sector energy vulnerability index. Second, we employ the self-constructed energy vulnerability index in a flexible empirical framework to examine the effect of the electricity crises on manufacturing sector jobs in the country. We find that energy vulnerability has a high degree of heterogeneity across manufacturing sub-sectors, highlighting cross-sector differences in the level of exposure and susceptibility to the energy-related crises. Results from the empirical analysis, on the other hand, suggest that electricity crises are associated with significant job destruction, with this adverse effect severe for manufacturing sectors with higher energy vulnerability intensity. The severity of this adverse effect holds irrespective of the nature of jobs, whether formal or informal.
Topic:
Crisis Management, Manufacturing, Electricity, Vulnerability, and Jobs
Political Geography:
Africa and South Africa

3. Climate Change Vulnerability and Women's Land Rights: The Case of Arua District

Author:
Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE)
Publication Date:
12-2021
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE)
Abstract:
Findings of this study show that Arua district is very vulnerable to climate change impact risk. The vulnerability and effects of different climate hazards and land issues vary with social groups and livelihood activities. The key climate hazards identified were drought, erratic weather patterns as well as climate induced pests and diseases. The land rights issues included lack of: (1) land ownership, (2) control over land, and (3) knowledge on land rights. Smallholder farmers were associated with the highest level of exposure to drought, floods, erratic weather patterns as well as climate induced pests and diseases like maize streak, cassava mosaic/brown streak, ground nuts rosette, among others. Women were particularly more affected by drought than other groups. The nature and degree of exposure to these hazards was worse for women/people with disabilities and those living with HIV/ AIDs because of marginalisation and inherent physical inabilities.
Topic:
Climate Change, Women, Land Rights, and Vulnerability
Political Geography:
Uganda and Africa

4. The Implication of Teenage Pregnancies in Eswatini: A Trend and Spatial Analysis

Author:
N. Dlamini
Publication Date:
12-2020
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre (ESEPARC)
Abstract:
This study assesses the extent of teenage pregnancy in Eswatini with a focus on public schools in the constituencies and region. In addition, the study examines which regions are affected by teenage pregnancies and adopts a Generalised Ordered Logit Model to determine the likelihood of teenage pregnancies across the regions in Eswatini. The study locates the Hhohho and Manzini regions as high teenage pregnancy areas and further identifies mothers in Lubombo and Shiselweni as more vulnerable to repeat births. Not surprisingly, the study finds that teenage pregnancies occur in Eswatini’s poverty-stricken areas - where there are low economic activities and the households are experiencing low incomes. These are places such as Madlangempisi, Ngwempisi, Sigwe, and Lomahasha. Teenage pregnancies occur when learners are idle during school holidays. The government is advised to consider intensifying policies and programmes geared towards reducing or eradicating teenage pregnancies in Eswatini. Such policies should deliberately target rural areas and focus on creating employment opportunities to relieve households from low incomes.
Topic:
Education, Vulnerability, Dropout Prevention, and Pregnancy
Political Geography:
Africa and Eswatini