Int J Environ Sci Nat Res 24(2): IJESNR.MS.ID.556133 (2020) 00183 Abstract Climate change has become a major concern in Africa, where many climate models predict that it will cause among other things; decreasing rainfall especially in arid areas, warmer temperatures and increasing severity and frequency of extreme weather events. Subsistence farmers in developing world are unable to cope with such climate variability since they do not have the capital to invest in new adaptive practices. They are also especially sensitive to climate change since they rely almost entirely on rain- fed agriculture. This study was carried out at Nguumo and Makindu locations in Makindu sub-county, Makueni County. The main objective of the study was to examine the role of women in agroforestry technologies as an adaptation strategy to climate change and variability in Makindu and Nguumo locations, Makindu sub county, Makueni County, Kenya. Information was gathered using Semi- structured questionnaires which had some fixed/closed and open ended questions. Answers for these questions were gathered through in-depth interviews with respondents, visiting various focused groups and obtaining their views through discussions and also observations on various farms. Information was generally gathered from both men and women without necessary targeting the women alone to avoid biased answers. For example women may feel that they carry most of household chores, therefore ignore the participation of men. Linear regression analysis done to investigate the degree to which women empowerment in and access to agroforestry technologies help in adapting to climate change and variability was fitted for both locations. Results obtained indicated that there was a positive and a significant relationship between women empowerment and agroforestry technologies (p<0.05) in Makindu Location and Nguumo Location. For the empowerment coefficient in Women for Makindu location and increment in women empowerment by one unit increases the adoption rate by 0.432 units. For the coefficient in Nguumo location an increment of women empowerment by one unit increases the adoption of agroforestry by 0.232 units. The study recommended enhancement of women capacity to make decisions, access resources equitably and benefit from development initiatives like agroforestry. The Study concluded that empowering women in their challenges is very critical in women adoption of agroforestry technologies. Keywords: Women empowerment; Agroforestry technologies; Climate change Influence of Women Empowerment on Adoption of Agroforestry Technologies to Counter Climate Change and Variability in Semi-Arid Makueni County, Kenya Research Article Volume 24 Issue 2 - April 2020 DOI: 10.19080/IJESNR.2020.23.556133 Int J Environ Sci Nat Res Copyright © All rights are reserved by Kalovoto Damaris M Kalovoto Damariis M, Kimiti Jacinta M and Manono Bonface O Department of Environmental Science and Land Resources Management, South Eastern Kenya University, Kenya Submission: March 24, 2020; Published: April 13, 2020 *Corresponding author: Kalovoto Damaris M, Department of Environmental Science and Land Resources Management, South Eastern Kenya University, Kenya Introduction Since the 1995 women’s conference in Beijing, donors, policy makers and development practitioners have pointed out the critical role of gender in development programs [1-7]. There is a general consensus that gender inequalities in areas such as ownership and access to resources, land tenure systems, education, extension and social-cultural factors have contributed to lower agricultural productivity and higher poverty levels [8]. However, due to their generally weak position in society and family, women are usually not included in discussions and decision-making processes related to climate change or any other issue. Their limited access to information and resources such as land and credit further prevents them from developing their capacities in agriculture although they play a crucial role in food security and agroforestry. In addition, there is a gender-related bias regarding the value and usefulness of local knowledge. Women often feel ignored, overlooked and not taken seriously when they try to make their contributions and share their knowledge [9]. They are seen as ‘farmwives’ rather than true farmers, and as such as not capable of producing and sharing valuable knowledge about farming. Society ignores the value of indigenous knowledge by continuing to view