The threat of climate change related events to agricultural production, food security, and human settlements is a matter of grave concern for South Africa, according to Makhotso Sotyu, deputy minister of environment, forestry and fisheries. She was speaking during a side event at the commission for the status of women meeting held in New York recently.
In various areas of the African continent, there has been devastating extreme weather events associated with flooding and drought, said Sotyu. This is increasing food insecurity, while wildfires are destroying vast tracks of land.
However, according to Sotyu, African women are resilient and will be required to play a major role in the fight against climate change and its devastating impact on agriculture.
“The African rural farming communities of largely women will thus need to transform unsustainable production, consumption and land use patterns towards climate resilient agricultural practices,” she said.
According to the deputy minister climate change is causing massive livelihood losses and damages for African women. This included, among others, the loss of biodiversity.
Risk widening gender gap
Reports tabled at the comission show that human pressures will likely push one million species towards extinction in the coming years.
If left unchecked these inter-linkages between climate change, biodiversity loss, desertification, land degradation, pollution and the Covid-19 pandemic could unleash devastating effects on humanity, especially for African women, Sotyu said.
“The economic risks posed by climate change could widen the gender gap, including gender violence,” she cautioned.
Many other African countries advocate for the need to integrate gender perspectives into our design, funding, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of policies and programmes on climate change.
According to Sotyu this is a stance South Africa supports. However, in addition, the country agrees on gender mainstreaming across sectors at all levels of government.
Africa’s sustainable future needs…
Across the African continent, countries are advocating for resources to implement climate action measures. This is because the burden of climate change falls heaviest on the most vulnerable sectors of society.
Burden-shifting to developing countries and unilateral efforts to redefine and narrow eligibility for climate change support, as well as placing conditionality on support, are specific threats to gender rights in developing countries, Sotyu said.
“We recognise and appreciate the important roles that women and girls are playing as effective, powerful leaders and change-makers for climate adaptation and mitigation.
“They are involved in sustainability initiatives around the world, in their communities, and their participation and leadership results in more effective climate action,”
However, much more needs to be done to fully realise the empowerment of women and girls, particularly in developing countries, Sotyu said.
“As stated in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, to empower women and girls to have a voice and be equal players in decision-making related to climate change and sustainability is essential for sustainable development. Without gender equality today, a sustainable equal future remains beyond our reach.”
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