Staff Writer
Zimbabwe’s Secretary for Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Mavis Sibanda, has emphasised the critical need for gender-sensitive climate action ahead of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29).
Speaking at the Gender and Climate Change COP29 Preparatory Meeting in the capital, Sibanda highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and girls, particularly those in rural areas.
She underscored the importance of ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are addressed in climate policy and decision-making.
“While the upcoming COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, will discuss broader issues like agriculture, food systems and land rights, we are glad that gender equality will be of significant concern to the discussions,” she said.
“This is because climate change is not gender-neutral and is not just an environmental issue; it is a matter of social justice and human rights. Its impacts are felt disproportionately by the most vulnerable members of our society, particularly women and girls. They face unique challenges arising from climate change, such as increased workload, limited access to resources, and heightened risks to their health and safety.”
Secretary for Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Mavis Sibanda at the Gender and Climate Change COP29 Preparatory Meeting.
Sibanda said women are disproportionately affected by climate change due to their societal roles and limited access to resources.
“They face marginalization and exclusion from decision-making spaces. While women and girls have contributed the least to the climate change problems, they find themselves disproportionately affected, their livelihoods and gender roles have been threatened,” she said.
She highlighted that the impacts usually culminate in an increase in cases of gender-based violence, child marriages, and school dropouts.
She noted that women in rural areas have the weakest voice in climate discussions and have the least influence in climate change discussions on climate solutions/adaptations or mitigation.
Sibanda called for gender-sensitive climate financing, emphasising that investing in women-led solutions can strengthen entire communities and accelerate progress toward sustainable development.
She also encouraged the organisation of impactful side events at COP29 to showcase innovative strategies and amplify the voices of women and marginalised communities.
“Together, we can make COP 29 a turning point, not only for global climate policy but for the empowerment of Zimbabwean women and girls in the fight against the climate crisis,” she said.