Build strong drought resilience, UN advises women, girls

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have called on women and girls to build strong communities by addressing  environmental challenges posed by land degradation and drought worldwide.

A new report titled: ‘Women-Led Solutions for Drought Resilience’, stated that they are not only experiencing greater hardships, but also demonstrating remarkable leadership in the face of drought, adding that they are also the most hard-wearing group.

The two bodies canvassed better women-led efforts to protect vulnerable communities from the devastating effects of drought, and also promote women’s land rights for food security.

The report revealed that women and girls are resilient, and leading the way in developing solutions to one of world’s most pressing challenges, adding that addressing gender inequality is not only about fairness, but an opportunity to harness untapped potential in the fight against climate change.

UNCCD Executive Secretary, Ibrahim Thiaw, explained: “The ingenuity and resourcefulness of women combating drought around the world is boundless. In Africa’s Sahel region, in northern Kenya, or in Morocco, women have proven their resilience.”