By Palma Ileye
Federal Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs has sought the collaboration and support from communities, other Nations, the United Nations, UN systems, donor bodies, for institutions, INGOs, NGOs, and sister MDAs, to drive the Women in Green Economy program to success, adding that in 3 years, the program, would drastically enhance the quality of life of millions of women and children.
Speaking at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, UNCCD, COP16 event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim said that the challenges of land degradation and desertification extends beyond environmental concerns; they threaten the very fabric of communities, economies, and health.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated that across Nigeria, the impact of land degradation was felt acutely across the 6 Geopolitical Zones, creating a terrible cycle of poverty and insecurity.
She explained that in NorthEast region of Nigeria which was in close proximity to the Lake Chad Basin, climate change intersects with conflict, forcing millions of people to flee their homes noting that women and children who constitute 80% of these displaced populations, face heightened risks of sexual and gender-based violence, GBV, forced and early marriages, disrupting education and worsening poverty.
She said that expanding desertification continues to undermine agriculture and water resources in the North West, while In the southern regions, particularly in the Niger Delta States, climate change manifests in rising sea levels, coastal erosion, flooding, and biodiversity loss explaining that the SouthEast continue to battle devastating effects of gully erosion, which has displaced over thousands of people, destroyed farmlands, and led to significant economic losses.
According to the Minister, “Over the past several years, Nigeria has made significant strides on strengthening its regulatory mechanisms including: The signing of the climate change bill into law, the establishment of the National Council on Climate Change, NCCC, and the launch of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan. Earlier this year, the NCCC unveiled Nigeria’s NDC Implementation Framework for 2023–2030, aimed at mitigating climate change while embracing adaptation and innovation as the cornerstones of our mission. A Climate Gender Policy has also been adopted to further strengthen the role of Nigerian women in climate action.
“The State Governments as well as Federal entities such as the North East Development Commission, NEDC and the Niger Delta Development Commission, Local and International partners continue to make commendable efforts to address these challenges and mitigate their impact. However, the magnitude of the crisis and the vulnerability of the people affected demands more targeted and innovative action.”
She also recognized the vital role women play in sustainable development and environmental stewardship noting that, “Climate Change is also women’s business.”
Therefore, she said that empowering women to participate in Climate Action was a catalyst for innovative solutions and community resilience stressing that, “To win this fight and slow down or reverse some of the effects of climate change, we must provide women with platforms and tools to participate, contribute and drive these solutions that the World urgently needs to meet the relevant sustainable development Goals.”
“Nigeria’s women make up over 50% of the population, while over 70% of agricultural activities are done by women, this means that we have the numbers and the willingness to tap into the opportunities provided by the green economy.
“Investing in women is always sound investment. Evidence from various projects across the world have shown that when women are given access to credit and finance, skills training, and resources, they invest in ways that enhance food security, increase family income, and foster community resilience.
“I am excited to share that the Ministry of Women Affairs is ready to take significant steps towards a sustainable future within these frameworks through the following strategic actions which includes: The establishment of a climate Division in the Ministry to coordinate and drive sustainable gender-responsive and age sensitive climate actions.
“Introducing a Women in Green Economy Program in 2025. Under this program, we will: Engage Women in Planting 10 Million Economic Trees and Plants including the Nopal Cactus Cladodes which is known for its ability to combat desertification and enhance soil health. Such plants provide sustainable social and economic benefits along the value chain, including income generation opportunities; Empower 1Million in climate smart agriculture; Transition 1Million households to Clean Cooking Energy; Support 1000 Female-Owned Startups involved in climate friendly businesses; Train 500,000 Women on Agro Processing and Train and equip 2,000 Community-based Female Climate Champions to support data collection and sensitization across all communities of concern,” she further stated.
She concluded that the present administration has continued to demonstrate Government’s commitment to addressing climate change and established a committee to oversee the Green Economic Initiative, a strategic measure to address climate change challenges in Nigeria.
