HON. SEN. MUPFUMIRA: Thank you Mr. President for allowing me to contribute to this very important subject. EMPOWERING WOMEN IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE: THE CASE FOR GENDER-SENSITIVE POLICIES IN ZIMBABWE.
Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is a present reality, impacting communities worldwide. It is a global issue that has negative effects on ecosystems, economies and communities. The impacts of climate change on humans are not gender-neutral and affect women and men differently. In Zimbabwe, a country particularly vulnerable to climate variability and extreme weather events, the effects are acutely felt. Women are typically more vulnerable to climate change due to pre-existing gender inequalities and access to resources. Gender-sensitive climate change policies and initiatives are essential to promote gender equality and ensure that the impacts of climate change do not exacerbate existing gender-based inequalities.
GENDER DYNAMICS IN ZIMBABWE’S CLIMATE CONTEXT
In Zimbabwe, women are often at the forefront of climate-related challenges. Agriculture, a sector highly vulnerable to climate change, is predominantly managed by women. They play critical roles in crop cultivation, livestock management, and natural resource stewardship. According to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and in Zimbabwe, approximately 80% of women live in the communal areas where they constitute 61% of the farmers and provide 70% of the labour. Thus, the work of women farmers is essential for food security. Most women are unpaid family workers. Rural women work 16 to 18 hours a day, spending at least 49% of their time on agricultural activities and about 25% on domestic activities. However, they also face unique obstacles. Erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts (The recent El Nino induced drought for example), and extreme weather events disrupt agricultural activities, jeopardising food security and livelihoods, particularly for women farmers.
GENDER-SENSITIVE CLIMATE INTIATIVES AND POLICES
To address the gender dimensions of climate change, the government of Zimbabwe, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has developed a Zimbabwe Climate Change Gender Action Plan (GAP). The GAP is aimed at integrating gender concerns and prioritizing gender equality in climate change policies and initiatives. The policy recognises that women and men have different needs, roles and responsibilities in addressing climate change. The action plan includes measures to increase the participation of women in the decision-making processes, promote their access to resources, and enhance their resilience to the impacts of climate change.
SEVERAL INITIATIVES IN ZIMBABWE ARE PIONEERING GENDER- SENSITIVE APPROACHES TO CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION:
- The Gender and Climate Change Programme (2017- 2022): Implemented by Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development and UNDP in Matabeleland North and South provinces. Focuses in main – streaming gender into climate change policies and programmes. This programme recognised the critical role women play in building resilience and promoting sustainable development. It aimed to empower women and promote gender- sensitive strategies to address climate change challenges in vulnerable communities.
- The Climate- Smart Agriculture (CSA) PROJECT (2018-2023): Implemented by FAQ and Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement in Mashonaland West, Manicaland, and Matabeleland South provinces. Focuses in promoting gender- sensitive climate resilient agriculture practices. This project empowers women farmers to adapt to climate change by promoting gender – sensitive climate – resilient agriculture practices. It recognises the critical role women play in agriculture and aims to enhance their capacity to address climate change challenges.
- The enhancing Climate Resilience project (2019-2024): Implemented by Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF) and World Bank in Buhera, Chiredzi, and Gutu districts. Focuses on supporting community-led climate change adaptation initiatives with a focus on gender equality. This project supports community -led initiatives that prioritise gender equality, recognising that local communities are best placed to address their own climate change challenges. It empowers women to take leadership roles in climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.
- The Women in Climate Change Network (WCCN) (2019-present): Implemented by: Action for Accountability and Transparency (A4T). Locations: Harare, Bulawayo, and other urban centers. Focus on empowering women to take leadership roles in climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. WCCN empowers women to take leadership roles in addressing climate change challenges, recognising their critical role in building resilience and promoting sustainable development. It provides a platform for women to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices in addressing climate change.
These initiatives demonstrate Zimbabwe’ commitment to gender – sensitive climate action, recognising the critical role women play in building resilience and promoting sustainable development. By addressing the gender dimensions of climate change, these initiatives aim to enhance climate resilience, promote sustainable development, and empower women to take leadership roles in addressing climate change challenges.
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Despite progress, challenges remain in mainstreaming gender into climate policies and programmes in Zimbabwe. Limited funding, institutional capacity gaps, and entrenched gender norms hinder effective implementation. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts to integrate gender considerations into all stages of policy development, implementation, and monitoring.
However, there are also opportunities for innovation and collaboration. Engaging women as agents of change, leveraging local knowledge and expertise, and fostering partnerships between government, civil society and the private sector can drive transformative change towards gender- sensitive climate action in Zimbabwe.
CONCLUSION
Gender -sensitive climate policies and initiatives are essential for addressing the differential impacts of climate change on women and men in Zimbabwe. By recognising and addressing gender inequalities, promoting women’s empowerment, and fostering inclusive decision-making processes, these policies can enhance resilience, promote sustainable development, and pave the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for all.