Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time and its impact is felt mostly by women and children in rural communities. However, women are not just victims of climate change they are also part of the solution. Chandia Judith, a climate change activist from Uganda, is a good example of the power of women’s leadership in the fight against climate change.
Chandia’s story is one of resilience and determination. Growing up in a single parent household, her mother struggled to provide for the family through small scale farming. “There were times when we had to rely on neighbors for food or rummage through rubbish pits,” Chandia recounted . Despite these challenges, Chandia was able to secure sponsorships and bursaries that enabled her to pursue her education up to the degree level.
Chandia’s experiences have informed her work as a climate change activist. Through a fellowship with Teach For Uganda, she gained expertise in teaching women, teenagers, and young children in Luwero District, a place severely impacted by climate change. Crop yields are low in the district due to high temperatures and bright sunshine, forcing households to eat just one meal a day or occasionally go without food.
“When I reached in Luweero, I revealed that the primary cause of high school dropout rates was parents’ inability to pay tuition because they had no other option rather than depending on agriculture and solely subsistence farming, Chandia noted”. In response to these issues , Chandia started two projects: the Schools Green Initiative for Better Learning, which targets children, and the Youth and Women Empowerment Project for Self-Reliance, which aims to engage the community.
“We need women’s leadership on the climate change issue because they are the backbone of our communities,” Chandia emphasized . According to Chandia, women in grassroots communities suffer from a lack of access to information, resources, and training needed for effective action.
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) reports that women make up 51.4% of the population and are essential to the social and economic fabric of the nation. Women in different parts of the world play a variety of roles that can be used to effectively address climate change. The Ugandan saying, “A woman is not only a mother but also a teacher,” has a lot of meaning in this situation.
For example , women are in charge of instilling morals and excellent manners in children in Buganda society. Traditional agricultural expertise and food preservation methods are passed down through the generations in Langi culture, and Karamojong women are essential in the management of natural resources including land and water. We can create more potent climate change mitigation plans by identifying and leveraging these cultural assets.
To properly address these complex issues, we must prioritize women’s empowerment and leadership in climate change mitigation and adaptation activities. This can be accomplished by improving women’s access to information, resources and training, allowing them to take decisive action.
Another approach would be to enhance support for grassroots organizations dedicated to gender responsive climate action. These organizations can act as information hubs, offering training and resources customized to the specific needs of women in different communities.
Furthermore, collaborating with local governments to decentralize decision making processes helps ensure that women’s opinions are heard, resulting in more inclusive and successful climate adaptation plans. Another way could be to create mentorship programs that connect young women with seasoned female climate action activists.
This would not only empower future generations but also create a network that fosters support, collaboration, and learning from each other. Local and international NGOs can also be actively involved in implementing educational campaigns for the realization of women’s contributions to climate resilience.
This includes creating platforms where success stories and best practices are shared, ensuring that women learn from one another. Chandia noted that, “Women’s participation in decision making processes is critical toward ensuring that their needs and concerns are taken into account.” This is all the more important in the context of climate change, within which the landscapes of women’s livelihoods and well being are particularly affected by shifting environmental conditions.
By recognizing women’s roles, strengths and contributions, we can develop efficacious strategies in the fight against climate change and improve livelihoods for all women and their communities.
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The writer, Abisagi Nalwadda is a journalism student at Makerere University’s Department of Journalism and Communication.
