By The North Journals Staff Writer
As climate change escalates across Africa, a groundbreaking new study has spotlighted the continent’s unsung heroes of climate resilience: women.
From flood-prone villages in Nigeria to drought-hit rangelands in Kenya, African women are not only bearing the brunt of climate disasters—they’re driving some of the most effective grassroots solutions to date.
In a new research paper titled The Unbreakable Nexus: African Women, Climate Change, and the Future of Resilience, researcher Trésor Daniel Mefire lays out the case for why women must be at the center of Africa’s climate agenda.
“Women are uniquely positioned at the intersection of environmental crisis, mobility, and community resilience,” Mefire writes. “Despite being disproportionately affected, they are critical agents of adaptation and transformation.”
Climate Crisis, Gendered Impact
The report reveals that 70% of Africa’s agricultural workforce is made up of women, yet they continue to face deep systemic inequalities: limited access to land, climate finance, and decision-making spaces.
Climate-induced displacement has forced more than 12 million African women to migrate since 2020, often under harsh and dangerous conditions. Meanwhile, cultural and legal barriers prevent most from owning land or obtaining financing—making long-term climate adaptation nearly impossible.
In Nigeria alone, women contribute nearly 70% of agricultural labor but own less than 10% of the land.
Frontline Innovators: Women Driving Change
The report pushes back on the victim narrative. It highlights remarkable female-led innovations shaping Africa’s climate future:
- In Nigeria, engineer Oluwaseun M. Osowobi has developed solar-powered irrigation systems that support over 200 women’s cooperatives.
- In Senegal, Mariama Sonko leads the “We Are the Solution” movement, training over 5,000 women in agroecology—boosting food yields by 40%.
- In Uganda, women’s cooperatives have slashed post-harvest losses by 40% through collective bargaining and better storage solutions.
- In Malawi, activist Tiwonge Mzumara-Gawa has established seed banks preserving over 150 indigenous crop varieties threatened by climate extremes.
“These women are reshaping economic systems, influencing policy, and safeguarding ecosystems for future generations,” Mefire states. “They are not victims—they are visionaries.”
Solutions Exist — If Women Are Supported
Mefire’s research outlines clear policy pathways to empower women and unlock their climate leadership potential:
- Access to climate finance: Currently, only 15% of sub-Saharan climate funding reaches women-led initiatives.
- Land reforms: In Rwanda, legal reforms giving women equal land rights have boosted productivity by 15%.
- Education & digital tools: Mobile weather alerts in Senegal have improved yields for women farmers by 25%.
- Policy inclusion: In Malawi, enforcing gender quotas in local climate committees has improved emergency response times by 30%.
COP29: A Defining Moment for Gender and Climate
With the next global climate summit—COP29—on the horizon, women-led organizations are demanding dedicated funding streams and equal representation in negotiations.
“Every $1 invested in women’s climate leadership yields $4 in community returns,” the study concludes. “The message is clear: when women lead, communities thrive.”
For further reading find the report here The Unbreakable Nexus: African Women, Climate Change, and the Future of Resilience,
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