> [!NOTE]+ Meta > Author:: Antonia T. Nzama > Reference:: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8517729/ > Date:: 2023 > Tags:: #warp #SouthAfrica > WeftLinks:: [[Equity value of craft]] > Claim:: [[Claim - Craft provides empowerment for women]][[Claim - Craft alleviates poverty]] > [!SUMMARY] Summary > Craft provides women in South Africa with livelihood while combating climate change. ### Highlights Climate change has reduced farming and livestock reliance in rural areas, pushing women in uPhongolo Local Municipality to seek new ways to earn a living. This study explores how craft development can provide these women with sustainable livelihoods while helping to combat the effects of climate change. The findings suggest that using local natural resources for crafts can enhance their economic resilience. > innovative entrepreneurship using natural capital readily available in the area for craft development and linking the products to the market play a significant role in improving SLs of women in the study area. > Studies have indicated that craft development can trigger the transformation of traditional livelihood whenever the need arises (Lasso & Dahles [2018](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8517729/#CIT0038)). Craft development has remained a popular activity over the years as a means of making financial gains (Malema & Naidoo [2017](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8517729/#CIT0041)). >With the recognition of the potential of tourism and its comparative advantages in reducing poverty, especially in rural areas, it is increasingly perceived as a livelihood strategy particularly in rural areas (Goodwin [2002](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8517729/#CIT0025)). >‘We can no longer rely on agriculture because climate change has resulted in crop fields that are uncultivated and the grazing lands that have become bare because of the loss of grass to feed the livestock.’ (56 year old, female, unemployed) >women in the study area can indeed use natural resources for craft development to mitigate the effects of climate change and also to contribute to their livelihoods.