Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs has revealed that 70 percent of agricultural activities are done by women in the country. She also said that 60 per cent of small holder famers are females, hence an advocacy for women to participate in land restoration.
Hon Imaan Sulaiman- Ibrahim further enumerated that 70 per cent of food production globally is being processed by women. She stated these while reeling out statistics justifying the need for international organisations and development partners to invest in women and children “because nearly 80 percent of them are exposed to climate change issues”, at the ongoing United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16 holding in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
According to her, the challenges of land degradation and desertification extend beyond environmental concerns; “they threaten the very fabric of communities, economies, and health”, she said.
“Expanding desertification continues to undermine agriculture and water resources in the North West, while in the southern regions, particularly in the Niger Delta states, climate change manifests in rising sea levels, coastal erosion, flooding, and biodiversity loss”, the Minister said.
“The Southeast continue to battle devastating effects of gully erosion, which has displaced over thousands of people, destroyed farmlands, and led to significant economic losses”, she added.
She noted that the impact of land degradation is felt acutely across the 6 Geopolitical Zones of Nigeria, creating a terrible cycle of poverty and insecurity and referenced the northeast , which is in close proximity to the Lake Chad Basin, and inferring that climate change intersects with conflict, forcing millions of people to flee their homes.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim added that women and children who constitute 80% of displaced population, face heightened risks of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), forced and early marriages, disrupting education and worsening poverty.
The Minister, while commending the Nigerian government in strengthening its regulatory mechanisms, including the signing of the climate change bill into law, the establishment of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), and the launch of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, she added that earlier in the year, the NCCC unveiled Nigeria’s NDC Implementation Framework for 2023 – 2030, aimed at mitigating climate change while embracing adaptation and innovation as the cornerstones of its mission.
“A Climate Gender Policy has also been adopted to further strengthen the role of Nigerian women in climate action. “The State Governments as well as Federal entities such as the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and the Niger Delta Development Commission local and international partners continue to make commendable efforts to address these challenges and mitigate their impact.
“However, the magnitude of the crisis and the vulnerability of the people affected demands more targeted and innovative action.
“As the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, I recognize the vital role women play in sustainable development and environmental stewardship. Climate Change is also women’s business.
“Therefore, empowering women to participate in Climate Action is a catalyst for innovative solutions and community resilience.
“I am here to tell you that if we are to win this fight and slow down or reverse some of the effects of climate change, we must provide women with platforms and tools to participate, contribute and drive these solutions that the world urgently needs to meet the relevant sustainable development Goals”, the Minister concluded.