نقش جنسیت در ادراک و کنشگری اقلیمی: تحلیل جامعه شناختی گردشگری پایدار در مناطق کویری شرق اصفهان (مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)
درجه علمی: نشریه علمی (وزارت علوم)
آرشیو
چکیده
این پژوهش با رویکرد ترکیبی کمی-کیفی، نقش جنسیت را در ادراک مخاطرات اقلیمی و کنشگری اجتماعی مرتبط با گردشگری پایدار در مناطق کویری شرق استان اصفهان (ورزنه، خور و بیابانک، و نائین) بررسی کرده است. داده ها از طریق پرسش نامه (412 نفر، شامل 208 زن و 204 مرد) و مصاحبه های نیمه ساختاریافته (18 نفر) در شش ماهه اول سال 1403 جمع آوری شد. نتایج نشان داد که زنان به دلیل نقش های بازتولید اجتماعی، ادراک بالاتری از مخاطرات اقلیمی (مانند خشک سالی، کاهش منابع آب و تخریب اکوسیستم ها) نسبت به مردان دارند و مشارکت بیشتری در فعالیت های گردشگری پایدار به ویژه بازیافت، آموزش های زیست محیطی و حفاظت از اکوسیستم های کویری نشان می دهند. درمقابل، مردان بیشتر بر مسائل اقتصادی مانند کاهش درآمد کشاورزی یا مدیریت زیرساخت های گردشگری تمرکز دارند. علاوه براین، موانع فرهنگی (مانند مسئولیت های خانگی و کلیشه های جنسیتی) و کمبود منابع مالی مشارکت زنان را محدود و نابرابری های جنسیتی را تشدید می کند؛ درحالی که مردان در فعالیت های اقتصادی و مدیریتی فعال ترند. این تفاوت ها با چارچوب های نظری اکوفمینیسم و عدالت اقلیمی همخوانی دارد و بر تأثیر نقش های جنسیتی بر پویایی های اجتماعی و زیست محیطی تأکید می کند. براساس این نتایج پیشنهاد می شود سیاست گذاری های جنسیت محور برای توانمندسازی زنان ازطریق تعاونی های محلی و برنامه های آموزشی هدفمند اجرا شود تا مشارکت آن ها در حفاظت از اکوسیستم ها افزایش یابد و توسعه گردشگری پایدار تقویت شود. همچنین پژوهش های آینده می توانند بر مدل های محلی توانمندسازی زنان و نقش فناوری های دیجیتال در کاهش موانع فرهنگی تمرکز کنند.The Role of Gender in Climate Perception and Environmental Agency: A Sociological Analysis of Sustainable Tourism in the Desert Regions of Eastern Isfahan
This study employed a mixed-methods approach to examine the role of gender in climate risk perception and social engagement related to sustainable tourism in the desert regions of eastern Isfahan Province, specifically Varzaneh, Khur and Biabanak, and Naein. Data were collected through questionnaires administered to 412 participants (208 women and 204 men) and semi-structured interviews with 18 individuals during the first half of 2024. The findings revealed that the women, owing to their roles in social reproduction, exhibited a heightened awareness of climate risks—such as drought, declining water resources, and ecosystem degradation—compared to men. They also demonstrated greater involvement in sustainable tourism initiatives, particularly in areas, such as recycling, environmental education, and desert ecosystem protection. In contrast, the men tended to prioritize economic issues, including reduced agricultural income and tourism infrastructure management. Cultural barriers, such as domestic responsibilities and gender stereotypes, alongside limited financial resources, constrained the women's participation and exacerbated gender inequalities, while the men remained more active in economic and managerial domains. These gendered differences resonated with ecofeminist and climate justice frameworks, underscoring the impact of gender roles on socio-environmental dynamics. Based on these findings, the study recommends gender-responsive policies to empower women through local cooperatives and targeted educational programs, thereby enhancing their contributions to ecosystem conservation and strengthening sustainable tourism development. Future research can focus on localized models of women’s empowerment and the potential of digital technologies to mitigate cultural barriers. Keywords : Gender, Climate Change, Sustainable Tourism, Social Activism, Desert Regions. Introduction The desert regions of eastern Isfahan, including Varzaneh, Khur, and Naein, are prominent sustainable tourism destinations in Iran and are renowned for their unique natural attractions, such as sand dunes and salt flats (Norouzi & Moradi, 2019). However, these areas face significant challenges due to climate change, including prolonged droughts, water scarcity, and vegetation degradation, all of which threaten fragile ecosystems and the livelihoods of local communities reliant on agriculture and tourism (Eshraghi et al., 2017; Abdollahi et al., 2016). The impacts of climate change are not distributed uniformly across social groups; they are significantly influenced by gender roles (Dankelman, 2002). Women often tasked with social reproduction responsibilities, such as managing water and food resources, face heightened vulnerabilities due to resource scarcity. In contrast, men, who are typically engaged in economic activities like agriculture or tourism infrastructure management, encounter different challenges (Di Chiro, 2008; Dadvar-Khani & Ghanian, 2016). These gendered roles not only shape daily experiences, but also influence perceptions of climate risks and participation in sustainable tourism initiatives. Research indicates that women tend to express greater concern for environmental risks and engage more actively in low-carbon activities, such as recycling and environmental education, owing to their social responsibilities (Zelezny et al., 2000, cited in Terry, 2009). Conversely, men often prioritize economic considerations and participate less in informal environmental initiatives (Calderón-Fajardo & Rodríguez-Rodríguez, 2024). Sustainable tourism in these desert regions presents opportunities to address economic and social inequalities; however, gender stereotypes and structural barriers—such as limited access to resources and decision-making power—hinder women’s participation (Mohammadzadeh et al., 2024). This study aimed to explore how gender roles shaped climate risk perceptions and social activism in sustainable tourism, thereby addressing the research gap in localized, gender-focused studies within Iran’s desert regions (Banerjee & Bell, 2007). Materials & Methods This research employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to investigate gender differences in climate risk perception and social activism within sustainable tourism. The study population consisted of local residents and tourism stakeholders—including tour guides, ecolodge managers, and farmers—in the desert regions of Varzaneh, Khur, and Naein selected for their vulnerability to climate change impacts like drought. For the quantitative component, a random cluster sampling method was utilized to ensure diversity in gender, age, and occupation, resulting in a sample of 412 participants (208 women and 204 men) with a 95% confidence level and a 5% margin of error. The qualitative component employed purposive sampling, which resulted in selecting 18 participants with direct experience in sustainable tourism, and in-depth semi-structured interviews for evaluating the impacts of climate change, continuing until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data Collection Tools Quantitative: A standardized questionnaire was designed, incorporating both closed-ended (Likert scale) and open-ended questions. It covered three main areas: (1) climate risk perception (e.g., impacts of drought on tourism and livelihoods), (2) participation in social activism related to sustainable tourism (e.g., ecosystem protection and recycling), and (3) influence of gender roles on participation (Terry, 2009; Di Chiro, 2008). Qualitative: Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore gendered experiences of climate change and barriers to participation, which were guided by theoretical frameworks, such as social reproduction. Data Analysis Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS software, employing descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis to identify gender differences and predictors of participation. Qualitative data were analyzed manually using thematic content analysis, which involved open, axial, and selective coding to identify key themes related to the impact of gender roles on climate risk perception and sustainable tourism activities. The content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts in environmental sociology, tourism, and geography with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.82 indicating strong reliability. Interviews were conducted by trained interviewers (5 students of both genders) to address cultural sensitivities and ensure equitable participation. Research Findings Demographic Profile The sample comprised an almost equal distribution of women (50.5%) and men (49.5%) with the 26–40 age group being the most represented at 37.9%. Educationally, 43.2% of participants held university degrees, which contributed to their level of environmental awareness. In terms of occupation, agriculture and livestock represented 27.2% of the sample, while clerical work accounted for 23.3%. The women were primarily identified as homemakers (28.8%), whereas the men were predominantly involved in agriculture (36.3%), reflecting traditional gender roles. Quantitative Findings Climate Risk Perception: The women demonstrated a higher perception of climate risks (mean = 4.27, SD = 0.71) compared to the men (mean = 3.59, SD = 0.83), resulting in a sample mean of 3.93 (SD = 0.79). The women, particularly those with university education (mean = 4.41) and rural residents (mean = 4.35), expressed greater concern about water scarcity (72.1% of women vs. 58.8% of men). The men engaged in agriculture showed a higher risk perception (mean = 3.72) compared to their peers in other occupations (mean = 3.46), likely due to economic reliance on natural resources. Age also influenced perception with women aged 25–40 reporting a mean of 4.38 and men aged 40–55 showing a mean of 3.68. Social Activism: Women participated more actively in sustainable tourism activities (mean = 3.92, SD = 0.76) than men (mean = 3.29, SD = 0.81), particularly in recycling (mean = 4.23 vs. 3.04), environmental education (mean = 4.08 vs. 3.12), and ecosystem protection (mean = 3.91 vs. 3.17). The women aged 25–40 years and the men with university education exhibited the highest levels of participation. Qualitative Findings Gendered Roles: A significant majority of the women (88.9%) attributed their heightened climate risk perception to domestic responsibilities, such as water management, while the men (88.9%) emphasized economic impacts, particularly agricultural losses. Environmental Attitudes: The women (77.8%) highlighted the importance of ecosystem preservation for future generations in contrast to 44.4% of the men, who prioritized practical issues like funding. Barriers: The women reported facing cultural barriers (77.8%) and time constraints due to domestic duties, whereas the men (55.6%) cited financial and educational limitations. Statistical Analysis T-test: Significant gender differences were found in both climate risk perception (t = 4.82, p = 0.001) and social activism (t = 4.15, p = 0.002). ANOVA: Age (F = 3.67, p = 0.012) and education (F = 4.12, p = 0.008) were the significant factors influencing perception, while occupation did not show a significant effect (F = 2.14, p = 0.091). Regression Analysis: Gender (β = 0.41, p < 0.001) and climate risk perception (β = 0.38, p < 0.001) were identified as the strongest predictors of social activism, explaining 42% of the variance (R² = 0.42). Notably, the women’s perception had a stronger effect (β = 0.45) compared to the men’s (β = 0.32). Correlation: A positive correlation was observed between climate risk perception and social activism (r = 0.56, p < 0.001), which was stronger among the women (r = 0.62) compared to the men (r = 0.47). Discussion of Results & Conclusion This study confirmed significant gender differences in climate risk perception and social activism within sustainable tourism. The women’s heightened awareness of climate risks aligned with their roles in social reproduction, which was consistent with ecofeminism and social reproduction theories (Mohanty et al., 2018; Di Chiro, 2008). Their active participation in recycling and environmental education reflected a stronger commitment to environmental stewardship (Skanavis & Sakellari, 2008). In contrast, the men tended to focus more on economic concerns and participate less in informal environmental initiatives, which aligns with the findings by Dadvar-Khani & Ghanian (2016). Cultural and structural barriers, such as limited access to resources and entrenched gender roles, restricted the women’s participation, corroborating the insights of Calderón-Fajardo & Rodríguez-Rodríguez (2024). While the tourism potential in the desert regions was substantial, challenges, such as resource exploitation and infrastructure deficits, remained significant (Norouzi & Moradi, 2019). To promote equitable sustainable development, gender-sensitive policies are essential. These should include women-focused environmental education and cooperative models that empower women (Gok, 2023). Future research should investigate local empowerment strategies and the role of digital platforms in enhancing women’s participation, ensuring that tourism policies are inclusive and sustainable. Without addressing gender disparities, tourism policies risk becoming “inadequate, inequitable, and unsustainable”.
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