Gender, Adaptation Strategies, and Livelihood Resilience: A Case Study from Floating Market of Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Indonesia

The purpose of this study is to analyse livelihood adaptation mechanisms and the factors that influence the livelihood resilience of male and female floating market trader households in Kuin Alalak. The research used quantitative approach using questionnaire and was supported by qualitative approach employing in-depth interviews. The results of the study showed that female-traders of floating markets performed more diverse adaptation strategies as they were regarded as main breadwinners in most of trading households. Female floating market traders have their own way to overcome vulnerability. They tried to maintain independent actions so as not to depend on others. Making good use of all the resources they had from their own resources is the key for female floating market trading households to better adapt to various economic challenges and threats. With all their physical limitations and resources, they were able to prove that they were strong enough to become the main breadwinners for their families. Male-traders who usually have much bigger scale of economy and control more resources, were not adapting very easily to the incoming crisis.