Samira takes inclusion of women in climate fight to Harvard University
Second Lady and Chair of the Africa Women and Children Conference (AFRIWOCC), Mrs. Samira Bawumia, has called for increased focus on women’s participation in the fight against climate change.
The appeal was made during the AFRIWOCC pre-COP28 Climate Forum held at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The biennial AFRIWOCC conference, convened under the theme “Amplifying the Voices of Women and Children in Climate Action,” served as a crucial platform for global experts to discuss issues related to women and children in Africa.
Mrs. Bawumia emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change and its disproportionate impact on women and children.
In her role as a Global Ambassador for the United Nations’ Clean Cooking Alliance and the World Health Organisation’s Health and Energy Platform for Action (HEPA), Mrs. Bawumia highlighted the underrepresentation of women in the energy sector.
She cited statistics from the International Renewable Energy Agency, indicating that women make up only 32% of the workforce in renewable energy sectors.
Addressing the forum, the Second Lady underscored the vulnerability of women to climate change threats, with the United Nations estimating that 80% of people displaced by such threats are women.
Mrs. Bawumia urged financial institutions to prioritize financing women, especially in the green sector, to contribute to gender-responsive and children-sensitive solutions to climate change.
Other speakers at the forum included Dr. Gloria Y.A. Ayee, an Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, known for her expertise in areas related to public policy and governance.
This pre-COP28 forum serves as a precursor to AFRIWOCC’s participation in COP28, scheduled to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in December.
Mrs. Bawumia’s advocacy for the well-being of women and children extends beyond this forum, as demonstrated by her non-profit organization, the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP).
Through SEHP, she has provided essential birth kits to thousands of pregnant women, conducted shea picking and processing training for women in various regions, and supported initiatives in education, empowerment, and health.
Mrs. Bawumia’s efforts have garnered international recognition, including being named the first of seven global honorees by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll) for her contributions to mobilizing action for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7.
Additionally, she received the Humanitarian Award from the Atlanta City Council for her tireless work addressing global family issues.
