Let women, children be heard on climate change – 2nd Lady

Mrs Samira Bawumia addressing the gathering

 The Second Lady, Mrs Samira Bawumia has asked stakeholders to make conscious and deliber­ate effort to create space for wom­en and young people’s voices to be heard, especially on climate change.

“You cannot make progress with­out leveraging the full resources of the majority of our population who are women and children especially in decision making,” she said.

According to her, climate change is increasingly inducing migration and heightening political insecurity threats across the sub-region, further impacting economic stability, espe­cially of women and children.

Mrs Bawumia said this at the maid­en Africa Women and Children Con­ference (AFRIWOCC), a platform to address the impact of climate change on women and children.

The conference, an initiative of the Second Lady, on Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP), under the auspices of the Office of the President, was themed: “Amplify­ing the Voices of Women and Children in Climate Action.”

Mrs Bawumia said the conference would coordinate a network of organ­isations focused on women and chil­dren in the climate change economy.

The Second Lady said climate ac­tion must be holistic, inclusive and in­tersectional to address the diversities and challenges faced by all especially women and children from different backgrounds, including those in rural areas, urban centres, indigenous com­munities and persons with disabilities.

She said it was only a comprehen­sive approach that could ensure that no one was left behind in pursuit of sustainability.

“I call upon governments, organ­isations, businesses and individuals to recognise the urgency of trying to solve the climate crisis and embrace the trans­formative power of gen­der equality,” she said.

The Deputy Sec­retary-General of the United Nations (UN), Amina J. Mohammed said there was the need for governments and decision makers at all levels to get involved and prioritise the wellbeing of women and children.

She urged stakeholders to set goals and work with a higher impact climate action that would unlock the potential of women and also to pro­tect children.

“We have to identify practical solutions when it comes to women and children at the centre of our social sphere so that together we can develop as a continent,” she said.

According to her, African countries are at the highest risk of suffering from the impacts of climate crisis, adding that, “Africa suffers dispro­portionately from climate impacts, including droughts and insecurity.”

The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonja-Iweala said trade must be leveraged as a tool, both for climate action and for women’s economic empowerment.

She said government and policy­makers must ensure that women and children were safe in the decision making process, adding that protect­ing the lives and livelihoods of women and children in Africa, was paramount to development.