Abstract
Abstract In Ethiopia, particularly in the drought-prone northern region, climate change is a critical challenge. Cultural and socioeconomic factors shape how rural households perceive climate risks and adopt strategies. This study examines rural households’ perceptions of climate change, their coping and adaptation strategies, and the barriers they face in the Gazgibla and Ziquala districts from a gender perspective. A mixed research approach using multistage sampling was employed. Data were drawn from 396 surveyed households, nine key informants, and six focus group discussions. Multivariate probit (MVP) model and descriptive statistics were used for analysis. The examination of climate change perceptions reveals that the majority of respondents perceived decreases in rainfall, a later onset of the rainy season, shorter rainy seasons, and rising temperatures, with widespread effects on crop productivity, water resources, and food availability. Adjusting planting dates, crop diversification, crop rotation, and soil and water conservation were the major adaptation strategies. Additionally, households resorted to reducing non-food expenditure, consuming less preferred foods, eating fewer meals, and borrowing food and money as coping mechanisms. Agroecology, gender, education, dependency ratio, access to climate information, extension and credit services, cooperative membership, perceptions of climate change, land size, market distance, livestock ownership, and annual income significantly shape adaptation choices (p < 0.05). The major barriers households face are financial constraints, unpredictable weather, and limited external support. Moreover, significant gender differences emerged in perceptions, adaptation strategies adopted, and adaptation barriers. This study concludes that targeted and gender-sensitive interventions focusing on access to credit services, climate information, and irrigation are crucial for building resilient rural livelihoods in drought-prone areas.