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This paper seeks to contribute to the droughts discourse through explaining the vulnerability of women to droughts by analysing the different livelihood strategies employed by women and their responses. The conservation of resources (COR) theory and ecological theory was applied to understand the issues of vulnerability, adaptation and coping with droughts. A qualitative approach was utilised through the application of semi-structured interviews, observation and document review tools. Although the element of behavioural change is illuminated in the behavioural theories and applied in some studies such as HIV and AIDS, this element is missing in the drought literature. In this paper, the behavioural change element that emerged is not only important but also relevant in understanding the dynamics associated with drought responses. This generates a novice understanding and explanation of the vulnerability of women to droughts and in so doing, it shapes the drought discourse beyond the traditional arena.

Global development has been asphyxiated by climate change as evidenced by significant repercussions on the world economy.While agriculture is the backbone of most developing economies in the global south, this sector is extremely vulnerable to climate change. Grim statistics point to a bleak future if the risk posed by climate change is not tackled.The impact of climate change has generally seen precipitation increasing in the Global North while the same has decreased in the Global South resulting in both wetter and drier scenarios. This scenario has meant that global food security is under threat.It is against this background that climate change adaptation becomes significant in averting the climate change induced food crisis. However, the UNFCCC "funding streams" for climate change adaptation strategies have been criticised for being financially and technically inadequate for meeting the adaptation needs of poor countries that are more vulnerable to climate effects. The disbursal of climate change is inefficient and more costly. African countries have also been clamouring for direct access to climate finance. Therefore, the ravaging impact of climate change on global development lingers. While there are debates on climate finance for effective adaptation, the resolution of issues involved is key if the battle against climate change is to be won. It is important that adaptation is mainstreamed in government policies, mainly, in the developing countries for effective financing of climate change adaptation to be realised while the poor and most vulnerable in developing countries should be given priority. DOI:10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n6p47

AbstractThe Australian Taxation Office release of annual longitudinally linked individual tax and superannuation records, known as the ATO Longitudinal Information Files (ALife), opens up opportunities for new research. In this study, we provide an overview of ALife, focusing on its use for retirement income research. To this end, we provide the first longitudinal estimates of superannuation outcomes for 1‐year birth cohorts. Results show marked increase in disparity of super balances in the lead‐up to retirement as those in the top quartile ramp‐up their contributions, possibly to take advantage of the favourable tax treatment of superannuation income in retirement years.

Homelessness, despite being a major social policy issue in Australia, is an area that is not well served by data. Most sorely lacking is any large-scale panel study that follows a broad sample of persons with recent experience of homelessness and unstable housing histories. In 2010, the Australian Government set about rectifying this deficiency when it commissioned the Melbourne Institute to undertake a new panel study, now known as 'Journeys Home'. This study draws its sample from the population of Centrelink income-support recipients, targeting persons identified in the administrative data as having recent experience of homelessness, as well as others with similar characteristics who may be vulnerable to housing difficulties in the future. This article summarises the design of this new study and reports on fieldwork outcomes from the first two waves of data collection. ; Associated Grant:Research Contracted to Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research by FaHCSIA / DSS.

AbstractHomelessness, despite being a major social policy issue in Australia, is an area that is not well served by data. Most sorely lacking is any large‐scale panel study that follows a broad sample of persons with recent experience of homelessness and unstable housing histories. In 2010, the Australian Government set about rectifying this deficiency when it commissioned the Melbourne Institute to undertake a new panel study, now known as 'Journeys Home'. This study draws its sample from the population of Centrelink income‐support recipients, targeting persons identified in the administrative data as having recent experience of homelessness, as well as others with similar characteristics who may be vulnerable to housing difficulties in the future. This article summarises the design of this new study and reports on fieldwork outcomes from the first two waves of data collection.