Gender equality to address climate change
A Breakfast round table conversation co-hosted by the ambassadors of the Republic of Rwanda Hope Tumukunde Gasatura and the Kingdom of Morocco Nezha Alaoui M’hammdi, in celebration of the international women’s day with a free discussion on the pressing issue of ‘Gender Equality to Address Climate Change’ was hosted at the new chancellery of the Kingdom of Morocco on March 30. The event was attended by Ambassadors, Representatives of Embassies, UN, Ministries, and Think tank groups. During the round table discussion speakers shared their expertise and opinions on the challenges, policies and efforts in fighting the adverse effects of climate change on women and girls.
The addresses of the panelists and the discussion that followed, highlighted the fundamental need of involving women as active and able partners whose expertise can be used in climate change mitigation, disaster reduction and adaptation strategies. They also stressed that Africa, despite its low contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, remains the most vulnerable continent to climate change impacts. Gender equality, being the cross cutting issue through the MDG Goals, must be given high attention, as there can be no sustainable development without gender equality.
The panelists also said that policy makers in Africa and the community as a whole need to take actions to mitigate the exponential collateral damages posed on the financial, economic, health, social and infrastructural progress, employing gender sensitive mechanisms that recognizes the pivotal role of women. “Women not only represent half of the global population,” but according to the latest UN Women Fact sheet, “Women farmers account for 45-80% of all food production in developing countries, depending on the region.”
The participants also stressed that about two-thirds of the female labour force in developing countries, and more than 90 percent in many African countries, are engaged in agricultural work. Climate change and disasters also endanger women’s and girls’ health by limiting access to services and health care, as well as increasing risks related to maternal and child health. Hence it is crucial that the rights of women are ensured in regards to food security, non-discriminatory access to resources, and equitable participation in decision-making processes.
The discussion delved into how climate change impacts women and girls; Why gender equality is key to sustainability and development; How climate action is crucial to address peace and security in Africa; and What we can do to support solutions for women through the southsouth cooperation.
In their respective statements, the ambassadors of the Republic of Rwanda and the Kingdom of Morocco showcased the giant steps their respective countries made in coping with climate change and its consequences.
The two countries have taken exemplary actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change and its effect on women.
In the case of Rwanda, the Ambassador highlighted the remarkable role of women in traditional justice practices; achieving 61% women representation at the political arena; banning plastic packaging as well as the critical role women played fighting Covid-19. Morocco’s commendable efforts in modern water management and irrigation systems was underlined by the ambassador who shed light in the various programs and initiatives undertaken with Pan African approaches and South-south cooperation, keeping women empowerment at the heart of its programs based on 3 initiatives: Stability, Security and Sustainability. Ergoge Tesfaye, Minister of Women and Social affairs said in her part that climate is the defining crisis of our time and a matter of survival for women due to unproportionate burden. She said that the government of Ethiopia has been at the forefront in international negotiations on climate change mitigation and environment policy and gender is center in the national adaptation and mitigation plan of climate change in Ethiopia; not just at policy level but translated into action as well;
Monique Zanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of AUC on her part said that the world is seeing disproportionate impact due to climate change; Africa is facing the height of the burden. She added that there needs to have integrated gender policies that are building women resilience to climate change and to make sure that women and girls are seating at the center of decision making table. Letty Chiwara, UN Women Representative to Ethiopia on her part said that climate change is a ticking time bomb for Africa and millions of girls in Ethiopia are displaced in the Somali and Oromia regions due to unprecedented drought; losing animals at a pace we have never seen before. “Gender is an emergency: It will take 121.7 years to address gender equality in Africa. In addition to women’s access in various sectors slowing down, girls access to education was negatively impacted by Covid-19 and the role of civil society in raising awareness as well as each of us playing our role in promoting respect between men and women.”