Mrs Samira Bawumia Leads High-Level Dialogue on Women and Children in Climate Action at Africa Climate Week
In a resounding success following the inaugural Africa Women and Children Conference (AFRIWOCC) held in Accra, the wife of the Vice president of Ghana, Mrs Samira Bawumia, has taken the reins in spearheading a High-Level Dialogue at the Africa Climate Week (ACW) focused on “Amplifying the Voices of Women and Children in Climate Action.”
The ACW, endorsed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), emerges as a formidable platform to address mounting climate change vulnerabilities and their associated global and African ramifications.
With escalating climate crises predicted in terms of both frequency and intensity, the ACW is poised to serve as a catalyst for shaping commitments and outcomes, ultimately culminating in the creation of the Nairobi Declaration.
This pivotal initiative, convened by the UNFCCC and hosted in collaboration with the Kenyan government and the African Union, seeks to integrate the outcomes of the maiden AFRIWOCC conference.
The two-day AFRIWOCC event, initiated by Mrs Samira Bawumia, responded to the pressing challenges that women and children face amidst climate crises. The conference assembled global experts to deliberate upon climate-related issues within the African context.
Themed as “Amplifying the Voices of Women and Children in Climate Action,” AFRIWOCC established itself as a crucial platform for nuanced dialogues, involving prominent figures from climate, environment, natural resources, agriculture, and energy sectors.
A focal point of AFRIWOCC was the signing of a communique, symbolizing a collective commitment to women and children’s climate action.
The conference was graced by esteemed leaders, including the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization.
The signed communique emphasizes the need for governments, civil society, and the private sector to place the rights and well-being of women and children at the forefront of climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
In the aftermath of the conference, a panel of experts will deliberate on the communique’s actions in a side-event at the Africa Climate Summit. Diverse perspectives will be shared by notable figures, including Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO of Sustainable Energy for All; Dymphna Van Der Lans, CEO of Clean Cooking Alliance; and Prof Anthony Nyong, Director-Climate Change and Green Growth at the African Development Bank.
Scheduled for September 7, 2023, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, the outcomes of these discussions are projected to influence Africa’s stance at the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties’ twenty-eighth session (COP 28) in Dubai, UAE, from November 30 to December 12, 2023.
The inaugural AFRIWOCC notably recognized the distinct vulnerabilities of women and children amidst the climate crisis while acknowledging their pivotal roles in driving meaningful climate action. The conference’s core objective was to spotlight their perspectives, fostering comprehensive solutions and equitable strategies to navigate the climate challenges that lie ahead.
From “Breaking Barriers and Increasing Representation in Climate Action” to “Leveraging Indigenous Resources for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation,” AFRIWOCC facilitated vibrant discussions that offered invaluable insights into harnessing the power of women and children as catalysts for transformative change.
In a broader sense, AFRIWOCC demonstrates a crucial milestone in the pursuit of gender-responsive and people-centered climate policies across Africa. Powered by the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP), this initiative showcases the potential of global collaboration to amplify the voices of women and children for the betterment of our planet and future generations.
