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Sithabile Nyaningwe recently in Luanda, Angola

The Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa has demonstrated commitment to fight climate change through spearheading and supporting people-centric policies, programmes and projects that advance the involvement of women in the awareness and fight against climate change. 

The role of women in this regard, and their capacity to effectively contribute to adaptation strategies that promote sustainable agriculture for food and nutrition security at household and national levels, cannot be over-emphasised.

The role of women in fighting climate change took centre stage at the just-ended Pan-African Women’s Organisation (PAWO) Conference for Southern Africa held in Luanda, Angola, under the theme, “The resilience of African women: the agriculture sector’s contribution to adapt to climate change”. 

Zimbabwe is a member of PAWO along with Botswana, Eswatini, Malawi, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Angola, where the organisation has its headquarters.  The integration of the theme of climate change for reflection on the continent demonstrates the indisputable need for adaptation to changes and resilience by African women, if they are to meaningfully contribute to the agricultural sector. 

The conference reflected on the barriers, opportunities and the inter-sectorial impact of climate change. 

Speaking at the conference, ZANU PF Secretary for the Women’s League Cde Mabel Chinomona described the scourge of climate change “as a global emergency that is causing displacements, forced migration, loss of lives, livestock and livelihoods, destruction of public and private infrastructure among many other ills”. 

Cde Chinomona further noted that as climate change intensifies, structural inequalities are perpetuated and magnified, disproportionately affecting women and girls, particularly those in situations of vulnerability as they are displaced or forced to migrate in search of safety, livelihoods and other socio-economic opportunities.

“The implementation of the priorities of the empowerment of women in the green recovery plan of the African Union, presents vast opportunities for women to leverage on and pursue sustainable and viable agro-activities,” she said, in a speech read on her behalf by Cde Betty Kaseke, the Women’s League Secretary for External Affairs. 

She hailed President Mnangagwa for committing to fight climate change, both globally and nationally, through investments in various strategies, particularly the drive towards achieving food and nutrition security in a development trajectory that leaves no one and no place behind. 

Some of the efforts by Zimbabwe include the promotion of smart agriculture, increasing the number of hectares under functional irrigation supported by dam construction and mechanisation, establishment of nutrition gardens supported by borehole drilling at every village and free distribution of seed packs, production of small grains which are not only drought resistant but are also of a good nutritional value, and advocacy and capacity strengthening.

Other measures include the introduction of the Presidential animal husbandry, poultry, piggery pass-on and other agro schemes, and the adoption of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme as a climate proofing strategy, benefiting over three million households. 

Cde Chinomona said through irrigation, women farmers were now engaged in profitable year-round agriculture, a development that has helped them to adapt to changing seasons, thereby significantly transforming the livelihoods of families. 

The women’s ability to ensure food security at household level first, has facilitated the depositing of any excesses to national silos for collective food security at national level. 

Some Zimbabwean women are already producing commercially viable export quality organic crops while others are being capacitated to take farming as a business.

Cde Chinomona encouraged member States to leverage on the opportunities presented by climate change for the advancement and socio-economic empowerment of women and girls. 

PAWO is a specialised agency of the African Union, which mobilises women to unite around women’s collective struggles.

It is the first of African women’s organisations, which contributed to the struggle for the liberation in the continent and eradication of gender inequalities among other endeavours. 

Through PAWO, the amalgamation of women specific concerns into the women’s economic, political and social emancipation agenda, has continued to take the center stage.

At the conference, member States were challenged to intensify investment in adaptation strategies, resilience building and capacitation of citizens in order to withstand shocks that come with the scourge of climate change and to recognise the vital role that women play in tackling climate change and the need for effective solutions that address the realities.

Women in all their diversity, should be involved at all levels by contributing to and benefiting from climate action.

Indigenous women, in particular, should be at the forefront of environmental conservation as they have invaluable knowledge and expertise in building resilience. This inclusion of more women in climate action, will create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

The highly subscribed event was attended by PAWO president Madam Eunice IIpinge, PAWO vice president Ms Bathabile Dlamini, African Union Commissioner Mrs Josefa Sacko, and representatives of a number of non-governmental organisations.