President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has underscored the importance of recognsing the unique perspectives and contributions of women and children in tackling the global climate crisis.
According to him, they are agents of change and their voices and experiences play vital roles in shaping effective climate change policies and strategies. Acknowledging the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, particularly women and children, he emphasised the need for inclusive decision-making processes that prioritise their involvement.
“Whereas climate change affects everyone, it does not affect everyone equally; women and children experience the greatest impact of climate change, with magnifying gender inequalities which pose unique threats to their livelihoods, health and safety. It is crucial that their voices are heard in all discussions at all levels in our governance structure if we are to stand a chance of positively addressing climate crisis. When women are empowered, it translates into improved food security and economy stability,” he said.
He was speaking at the inaugural African Women and Children Conference (AFRIWOCC) 2023 under the theme ‘Amplifying the voices of women and children in climate action’.
The climate crisis is hitting African’s poorest the hardest. With nine out of the 10 most vulnerable countries located in sub-Saharan Africa, the Sahel region records an increased temperature rising above the benchmark of 1.5 degree Celsius. Drought is more frequent; rainfall is more intense and less predictable – taking already vulnerable agricultural systems into a dire situation.
He emphasised the importance of education and awareness in empowering women and children to become active agents of change. He urged all stakeholders from both public and private organisations to work in a collaborative effort to ensure women and the younger generation are equipped with the needed knowledge and skills to address these environmental challenges.
“Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach; government, international partners, private sector, financial institution and civil society organsiation must work hand-in-hand to create an inclusive, equitable framework for climate action. By recognising and empowering women and children, we unlock the full potential of African enterprise and innovation in tackling the climate crisis.”
He proposed six concrete actions and policy interventions that should acknowledge the participation of women and children: including Education and Awareness, Environmental Stewardship, creating Gender responsive policies, Economic Empowerment, Community Building and Inclusive Climate Solutions.
Samira Bawumia, Ghana’s Second Lady and Convener of the African Women and Children Conference, criticised the barriers that prevent women and children from actively participating in combatting climate change. She emphasszed, however, that the conference’s goal is empowering women and children to actively participate in climate action and decision-making processes.
There exist several gaps that hinder the effective roll out of international decisions on women and children’s participation in climate discussions. These gaps include unequal representation of women and children in climate discussions, the lack of gender-disaggregated data and inadequate technology and innovation, which compromises efforts to outline gender-responsive interventions to enhance the capabilities of women and children in adapting to climate change,” she said.
Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, emphasised the importance of tackling the climate change menace and reiterated the World Trade Organisations (WTO) commitment to help combat it.
“Trade policy decisions can improve people’s lives in a very practical ways; for instance, women and children in developing countries spend hours gathering wood for fuel – which can lead to premature death due to household air pollution, from which women and children account for 60 percent of deaths. Reducing tariffs and other trade barriers will help enhance access to life changing cooking solutions.
“Trade is a key mechanism for enhancing economic opportunities for women and the businesses they run. Better integration into the international market will enhance and help women entrepreneurs to drive job creation, enhance economic growth and tackle climate crisis; and at the WTO we are ready and poised to help,” she said.
Deputy Secretary-General for the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed said: “We must amplify the voices of women and children in climate action, as they are not only disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change but also hold immense potential to drive transformative solutions. By empowering women and children, we can create a more inclusive and sustainable future for all,” she said.
The maiden edition of the Africa Women and Children Conference (AFRIWOCC), which ends today, is organised by the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP), under the auspices of the Office of the President.
The conference’s aim is to bring together a diverse range of participants including high-level government officials, policymakers, renowned experts, representatives from international organisations, civil society and grassroots community leaders to deliberate on the theme ‘Amplifying the Voices of Women and Children in Climate Action’.
The objectives of AFRIWOCC 2023 are to assess impacts of the climate crisis on women and children; advocate for policies that champion the interests of women and children in climate change sector regulations and development; and coordinate a network of organisations focused on women and children in the climate change economy. The rest include creating a platform to discuss practical and realistic projects and programmes to address the adverse effects of climate change on women and children; and to document indigenous knowledge and innovation in climate change.
The conference is expected to end with signing a communique that represents a collective commitment to action. This document will guide governments, civil society and the private sector to prioritise the rights and well-being of women and children in climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
The outcomes of AFRIWOCC 2023 will contribute to discussions at the Africa Climate Week and Africa Climate Summit scheduled for September 4 – 6, 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. These discussions will shape Africa’s position at the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties’ twenty-eighth session (COP 28) to be held from November 30 – December 12, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
