African women meet in Lagos for climate justice

Ahead of the Committee of Parties 28 (COP28) holding in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from November 30 to December 12, 2023, women from 15 nations across the continent, under the aegis of Women’s Climate Assembly (WCA), have converged on Lagos to seek sustainable ways of tackling global warming and its negative effects.

Referring to what they termed ‘false solutions’ to climate change over the years, the activists said they have become weary of talks without concrete action.

They maintained that African women were ready to take the lead, since governments and industry players have failed to address the climate crisis. At a four-day summit, the second in the series, covering September 24 to 28, and with representatives of women groups, fossil fuel and mining communities, as well as environmental advocates in attendance, the participants, yesterday, demanded an immediate action to save the continent.

In her remarks, Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre and organisers of the event, Emem Okon, noted: “The essence of the WCA is to mobilise African women under the Africa Women Alliance and the WCA to discuss issues of climate change, where we will be discussing the major countries and corporations causing climate change globally, and champion ways of mitigating the impacts. ‘’

“This assembly is part of the counter COP to brainstorm on the very devastating effects of climate change globally, even as COP28 comes up in Dubai from November 30, 2023 to December 12, 2023.

“For women fighting for climate justice, the WCA is a crucial political space for education, activism, camaraderie, and movement building.”
National Steering Committee member of WCA from Akwa Ibom State, Glory Alexander Thomas, lamented that the nonchalance of industry players and the Federal Government towards suffering of oil-producing communities was disheartening and worsening their lot.

A woman leader from Okwuji Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Council of Rivers State, Mrs. Shepherdess Peace Mgbenwa, regretted that since the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) began prospecting for oil and gas in her settlement in1956, life has remained unbearable for the locals.

Equally, Cynthia Buluebiere Bright from Gelegele Community in Ovia North East Council of Edo State, decried that in her locality, gas flaring has been ongoing since 1966, with women and children, especially girls, exposed to various heart-related ailments, cancers and skin diseases.

Other women from Ghana, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon and Mali, among others, were unanimous on the adverse effects of climate change, urging swift action like their Nigerian counterparts.

Josiane Yebi Boyo, an Ivoirien, submitted: “The strength of women climate assemblies is in their commitment to leaving no one behind, ensuring that the most vulnerable are not only part of the conversation, but also the solution.”

Senegal’s Mariama Sanko said: “Grassroots women defending their environment and fighting for climate justice are the true heroes of our time, and working tirelessly to heal our planet earth and secure a brighter future for all is a task that must be pursued with passion and accomplished.”