Urgent Call for Gender Considerations in Climate Action: A Message to African Leaders at COP 29

As African leaders and negotiators come together at COP 29, we stand at a critical juncture. The impacts of climate change are no longer abstract, and for far too many communities, particularly women, the consequences are immediate and devastating. This is more than a technical issue; it’s a moral crisis. We cannot separate climate action from the pursuit of gender equality.

This document highlights a critical, urgent call for gender-focused climate action addressed to African leaders, particularly as they convene at COP 29. Framed by contributions from Ghana, Togo, and Rwanda, the brief stresses the inextricable link between climate resilience and gender equity, emphasizing that women are among the most vulnerable to climate change yet hold key roles in adaptation and sustainability efforts. The authors argue that climate change impacts—ranging from water scarcity and agricultural degradation in Ghana, to deteriorating transport infrastructure affecting Togo's women farmers, and socioeconomic disparities in Rwanda—disproportionately affect women. This reality underscores the need for gender-responsive climate policies to foster equitable resilience across African nations.

The document further outlines national policies and current gaps. Ghana, for instance, has pledged to integrate gender into climate strategies but struggles with enforcement, leaving rural women to bear the brunt of environmental degradation from illegal mining. Togo’s women farmers face transportation barriers exacerbated by climate-induced road damage, which impacts their income and food security. Rwanda, on the other hand, demonstrates a proactive stance on gender and climate but still faces structural challenges in enabling rural women’s full participation and access to climate finance.

The brief calls for immediate, concrete actions: ending environmentally harmful practices, improving policy enforcement, expanding access to climate finance for women, and integrating women into decision-making roles. It positions gender equality as an essential component of climate resilience, urging African leaders to commit to actions that go beyond promises, advocating for sustainable and inclusive climate policies that actively support the roles of women as essential drivers of community resilience and environmental stewardship.