Stakeholders urge climate action for rural women farmers

Stakeholders have called for the inclusion of rural small scale women farmers in climate change action plan.

They said that amplifying the voices of rural women farmers, who stand at the frontline of climate impacts, was not only timely but essential for equitable and sustainable development.

The stakeholders made the remarks at a one-day workshop on Drafting and Validation of Rural Agricultural Women’s Perspective On State’s Climate Action Plan on Wednesday in Osogbo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Advocate For Sustainable and Inclusive Community Development, with the support of Urgent Action Fund Africa, for rural women farmers in Osun.

The state Commissioner For Environment and Sanitation, Mr Mayowa Adejoorin, said the crucial perspectives and experiences of rural women farmers, who were mostly affected by climate change, had been neglected for too long.

Adejoorin, represented by Mr Samuel Ogunleye, Director of Climate Change and Renewable Energy in the ministry, said the state government recognised that a truly effective and sustainable climate action plan could not be formulated in isolation.

“You (women) are the custodians of our land, the backbone of our food security, and the first to witness and adapt to the shifting patterns of our climate.

“Your deep understanding of local ecosystems, traditional farming practices, and the subtle changes in weather patterns is not just scientific enough; it is critical data that must inform our strategies and actions.

“This is why your participation in this process is not merely symbolic, it is fundamental to the success of this endeavor.

“Climate change presents unique challenges to our rural women farmers”, he said.

Also, Prof. Opeyemi Ekundayo, the Director of Centre For Gender and Social Policy Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said that climate change was not gender-neutral.

Ekundayo said that women farmers were already contending with systemic barriers, such as limited access to resources, decision-making exclusion, gender-based violence, among others.

She, however, said that a climate policy that failed to integrate the views and experiences of women farmers risked perpetrating the aforementioned barriers.

Ekundayo said that the initiative of the NGO to mobilise women’s groups and demand gender sensitive policies was a powerful step towards ensuring women farmers inclusion in climate change policy.

In her remarks, the NGO’s Executive Director, Chioma Otugo, said that the organisation was galvanising movement of women’s group to demand inclusion of gender issues in the proposed climate plan actions by the state government.

Otugo noted that the organisation was currently implementing a project on a gender reflective policy for the state climate change policy.

She said the policy was a critical document that would impact women farmers, businesses and environmentalist in the state.

“Women farmers already facing severe economic barriers, decision-making power and climate change challenges exacerbates these inequalities

“Our mission is to enhance the lives of women, girls, and youth by promoting gender equality, economic empowerment, and inclusive growth.

“Our goal is to foster sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to advocate for their rights and contribute to social and economic progress”, she said.

Also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Abimbola Babatunde, said the workshop was timely, as it reflected a deep understanding that climate action must be inclusive to be effective.

Babatunde, represented by Mrs Olufunmilola Adewale, Director of Gender Affair in the ministry, said that rural women farmers were among the most vulnerable yet most resilient in the face of climate challenges.

She said the farmers desired a prominent voice in shaping policies that affect their livelihood.

“As a ministry, we are steadfast in our commitment to promoting gender-responsive climate action”, she said.

By Victor Adeoti