UN Women has called on Nigeria’s Ministry of Environment to expedite action on the implementation of its gender action, to ensure “improved gender equality in climate change response in Nigeria”.
The UN Women Representative to Nigeria and Ecowas, Ms. Comfort Lamptey made the call in a dialogue with the media to kick off the International Women’s Month and also discuss activities to commemorate International Women’s Day, IWD on March 8th.
Ms Lamptey said in line with the theme of the IWD for this year ‘Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow’, the Nigerian media and government officials must seek out and recognise “the contribution of women and girls leading on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response, to build a more sustainable future for all.”
In a presentation to the meeting, Mr Lansana Wonneh explained how climate change impacts negatively on women and why urgent action was required to mitigate such impacts.
He said “the economic and social fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted women and girls disproportionately, challenging their ability to withstand the impacts of the climate and environment crises.
Impact of climate change on Nigerian women:
• In 2019, approximately 1.9 million Nigerians mostly women and children were displaced by floods (NEMA).
• In Nigeria, climate change is impacting on agricultural yields – agriculture is the major occupation of rural women.
• According to International Energy Agency, only 15% Nigerians have access to “clean cooking” and the rest – mostly women – rely on inefficient cookstoves.
• Climate change related conflict is impacting adversely on Nigerian women’s economy as inadequate hydro-electricity generation is affecting women’s businesses
• Climate change conditions hinder access to health services for women in Nigeria.
The International Women’s month campaigns which run from March 1st to 30th brings to attention issues such as gender equality; economic, political, and reproductive rights; gender-based violence and abuse against women.
IWD 2022 theme; Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow, recognizing the contribution of women and girls leading on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response, to build a more sustainable future for all.
Confidence Okwuchi
