Southern Africa Advocacy Advisor for Care International, Chikondi Mkawa, says there is a need for youth and women to play a central role in fostering climate change initiatives.
During a webinar organized by For Equality in collaboration with Green Girls Platform on Wednesday, Mkawa pointed out the importance of incorporating gender when planning and implementing projects to do with climate change.
“Gender is a crucial issue in decision-making. We must first address foundational issues where gender equality is lacking. There is no climate justice without gender justice,” Mkawa stated.
She further emphasized the need to address inequalities in accessing resources, assets, services, and leadership opportunities to achieve both gender and climate justice.
“If Malawi wants to excel in agriculture, we must overcome pre-existing challenges. Women are not a homogenous group, and their diverse needs must be considered, as was agreed at COP 16.
“It is essential to recognize the connection between gender and climate change,” Mkawa added.
She said women and youth constitute the majority of the population, meaning their inclusion is critical for sustainable change.
Mkawa therefore attributed the slow progress of climate change initiatives in developing countries like Malawi to gender imbalances, lack of commitment, and insufficient funding.
She encouraged the youths to collaborate with cooperatives and national gender focal points to become actively involved in climate change initiatives.
“It is vital to engage in district executive committees and develop the habit of reading to acquire knowledge on climate change issues,
“This will enable you to identify funding opportunities and participate in policy formulation. Youth should work as a team within the districts, not in isolation,” she added.
Mkawa also urged development partners to ensure climate change projects align with existing gender policies, action plans, and national climate change policies.
“If these projects do not align with these policies, it leads to a mismatch of priorities. The initiatives within a project must reflect on specific measures to bring climate change,” she warned.
Climate Change Officer at For Equality, Chisomo Chibwana told Malawi News Agency that the climate crisis disproportionately affects women and girls, exacerbating pre-existing gender inequalities rooted in socio-economic factors.
She explained that the webinar aimed to raise awareness and knowledge on the impact of climate change on vulnerable groups, not only in Malawi but globally.
“The target audience for the discussion was youths aged 18—35 in Malawi because they are the ones we need to amplify their voices to bring change,” she said.
Chibwana added that the goal was to build a generation of young women who should advocate for climate justice and lead future climate action.
“We wanted participants to improve their understanding of gender-responsive climate solutions. Through the seminar, we engaged in practical ways to address climate change and establish a strong feminist movement capable of advocating for climate justice,” she explained.
Chibwana emphasized that climate justice entails not only mitigating the effects of climate change but also ensuring that solutions are equitable, inclusive, and upholding human rights.
She therefore urged the public to recognise that achieving climate justice requires addressing the intersection of gender and climate change issues by taking deliberate actions to empower marginalized groups.
“We urge civil society organizations (CSOs), young people, and stakeholders to advocate for gender-responsive climate change solutions and equitable access to resources, ensuring that no one is left behind,” she said.
For Equality, in partnership with Green Girls Platform, conducted four webinars aimed at sensitizing feminist organizations across Malawi to various aspects of climate change.
The most recent seminar was held on Wednesday, December 10, 2024.
For Equality is a Pan-African womens rights organization founded in 2018 that works to accelerate progress towards achieving gender equality.
