2nd Lady leads high-level AFRIWOCC team to Kenya
Following the success of the maiden Africa Women and Children Conference (AFRIWOCC) in Accra, Ghana’s Second Lady, Mrs Samira Bawumia is leading a high level dialogue on “amplifying the voices of women and children in climate action” at the Africa Climate Week (ACW) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Slated for Thursday, September 7, 2023 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre , the outcomes of the discussions are expected to shape Africa’s position at the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties’ twenty-eighth session (COP 28), that would be held from November 30th – December 12th, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The ACW, which is being championed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), aims to address the increasing exposure to climate change and its associated costs, both globally and particularly in Africa.
With the expectation of escalating climate crises in terms of frequency and intensity, the ACW will serve as a platform to inform, frame, and influence commitments, pledges, and outcomes, ultimately leading to the development of the Nairobi Declaration.
Convened by the UNFCCC and hosted by the Kenyan government, in partnership with the African Union, the communique actions and outcomes of the maiden AFRIWOCC will be discussed at the ACW.
Themed “Amplifying the Voices of Women and Children in Climate Action,” the maiden AFRIWOCC was designed as a critical but nuanced platform of engagement for reflections on climate issues and their impacts, and framed as a conversation to elicit responses from some leading actors in the fields of climate, environment, natural resources, agriculture and energy.
The conference which ended with the signing of a communique representing a joint commitment to climate action for women and children brought together distinguished leaders, including the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo, who delivered the keynote address, the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, H.E Amina J. Mohammed, and the Director General of the World Trade Organization, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, among other eminent figures.
Signed by Mrs Bawumia, Messers Orchard Razaaly, EU ambassador to Ghana, and Charles Abani, UN resident coordinator, Ghana, the communique emphasizes the imperative need for governments, civil society, and the private sector to prioritize the rights and well-being of women and children in climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Founder and convener of AFRIWOCC, Mrs Bawumia explained that the document symbolizes a call for increased investment in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment for women and children while highlighting the significance of their meaningful participation in climate change decision-making processes; and establishing a working group that will ensure women and children-centered climate-related projects for Africa.
Actions
The actions of the communique which will be discussed by a panel of experts as a side event at the Africa Climate Summit will center on the roadmap to the achievement of the communique actions.
The event will be opened by Mrs Bawumia, and closed by Ms Ahunna Eziakonwa, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa. The High Level Dialogue will have an array of panelists, including Dr Angela Lusigi, UNDP Resident Representative, Ghana; Damilola Ogunbiyi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sustainable Energy for All; Dymphna Van Der Lans, CEO Clean Cooking Alliance, Samuel A. Jinapor, MP and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Ghana; and Prof Anthony Nyong, Director, Climate Change and Green Growth, African Development Bank, Mr. Niyi Ojoulape, Country Representative of UNFPA, Somalia and the Minister of Environment of the Republic of Rwanda.
Maiden Conference
The maiden conference keenly acknowledged the unique vulnerabilities of women and children in the face of climate change, while also recognizing their indispensable roles in driving climate action. The primary objective of the gathering was to shine a spotlight on the perspectives of women and children, ultimately fostering inclusive solutions and equitable strategies for a resilient future in the context of climate challenges.
Objectives
The objectives of the conference were to assess the impact of the climate crises on women and children, advocate for policies that champion the interest of women and
children in climate change sector regulations and development, and coordinate a network of organizations focused on women and children in the climate change economy.
They also sought to create a platform to discuss practical and realistic projects and
programs to address the adverse effects of climate change on women and children; and
document indigenous knowledge and innovation in climate change.
AFRIWOCC 2023
Representing a pivotal moment in the pursuit of gender-responsive and people-centered climate policies in Africa, the conference has the potential to create a lasting impact, drive transformative change and build a more resilient future for all in the face of climate change challenges by intensifying the voices of women and children and fostering inclusive and sustainable climate action.
