In the context of implementing the Aswan Conclusions on Sustainable Peace and Development in Africa, CCCPA organized a webinar series on “Gender-Responsive Climate Programming for Sustaining Peace in Africa,” from 12-14 July 2021.
Despite the growing recognition of the interlinkages between climate change, gender and peacebuilding, progress lags behind in devising responses that address this triple nexus on the African continent.
The webinar series discussed the pathways to move forward this agenda in order to harness the co-benefits of climate resilience, women empowerment and peacebuilding.
The webinar series brought together about 30 participants from various African ministries, particularly the Ministries of Environment, Women Affairs and National Planning, as well as from the AU, RECs/RMs, UN agencies, humanitarian organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners, research and training centers, academics, and local organizations.
The first webinar, titled “Inclusive Climate-Security Responses: Working at the Intersection of Gender, Climate and Security in Africa,” aimed to (i) identify the interlinkages between gender, climate and security across conflict and post-conflict settings, and (ii) explore how the intersection between climate change and insecurity may shape and alter the roles, needs and experiences of women and men and shed light on inclusive climate responses. The webinar was moderated by Ambassador Ahmed Abdel-Latif, Director General of CCCPA. The speakers included Mr. Christophe Hodder, Environmental Advisor to Somalia at the United Nations Environment Programme; Dr. Virginie Le Masson, Research Associate, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion at the Global Risks and Resilience, Overseas Development Institute; Ms. Colette Benoudji, Independent Civic and Social Organization Professional, Chad; and Ms. Oladosu Adenike, Founder of Lead Climate, Nigeria.
The second technical webinar, titled “Inclusive Approaches to Climate-Security Programming: Gender Analysis Tools and Methodologies,” discussed gender analysis tools and methodologies that capture gender dynamics and considerations when designing climate interventions in conflict and post-conflict settings. This webinar was moderated by Ms. Amina Helal, Program Officer on Women Peace & Security at CCCPA. The speakers included Dr. Jessica Smith, Research & Policy Manager, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace & Security; Dr. Sophia Huyer, Researcher on Gender & Social Inclusion at the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research; Dr. Christiana George, Gender Advisor at African Risk Capacity; and Ms. Camille Quenard, Gender & Climate Expert at the African Development Bank.
The third webinar, titled “Gender Responsive Approaches to Climate Programming in Conflict and Post-conflict Settings,” focused on (i) identifying gaps and action needed to ensure that climate policies and programs respond to the gender-specific needs and experiences of women and men, and (ii) leveraging entry points to strengthen women’s engagement in peacebuilding. This webinar was moderated by Ms. Salma Kadry, Program Officer on Climate, Security and Development at CCCPA. The speakers included Ms. Regina Ossa Lullo, Director General at the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare of the Republic of South Sudan; Ms. Molly Kellogg, Gender, Climate and Security Advisor at the United Nations Environment Programme; Dr. Mary Nyasimi, Director at Inclusive Climate Change Adaptation for a Sustainable Africa; and Ms. Fleur Newman, Lead Gender and Climate Change Officer at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Discussions during the webinars delved into the structural barriers and underlying vulnerabilities that undermine the resilience of women, including their capacity to cope and recover from climate change and its associated risks. Likewise, the deliberations shed light on women’s contributions to climate resilience and their central role in securing water, food and energy for their communities and households. The discussions resulted in a number of recommendations for policymakers and practitioners including how to (i) assess the specific roles, needs and opportunities for women and men in areas that are affected by the compounded threat of climate change and insecurity; (ii) advance integrated climate planning that leverages the intersection between gender, climate and peacebuilding; and (iii) take stock of the good practices and lessons learned in developing inclusive climate responses in conflict and post-conflict settings across the African continent.
This event was made possible in part by the generous support of the Government of Japan, the United Nations Development Programme, the Government of Sweden, and the African Development Bank.
