The effects of climate change are huge and growing around the world. For Africa, climate change is not a concept or a risk that will happen in the future, it is happening now. Climate change is associated with destructive weather events such as frequent and intense rainfalls, hurricanes, floods, and droughts. The impact of climate change on agriculture is significant, especially for African women who bear the brunt of the agricultural labor force.
Agricultural productivity is being threatened in the face of extreme weather destroying lives and livelihoods. Devastating cyclones affected 3 million people in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe in 2018. In 2020, flooding affected 2.7 million people in 18 countries in West and Central Africa. Drought in Kenya has led to food insecurity, putting 1.9 million people in need of assistance.
For Africa, where more than sixty percent of the population is involved in agriculture, the effects of climate change can be devastating. According to a report by Mckinsey & Co., “agriculture is critical to Africa’s growth and development, but climate change could destabilize local markets, curb economic growth and heighten the risk for agricultural investors.” In sub–Saharan Africa, the agricultural sector is critical to the local economy, and it is an essential source of employment, particularly for women. In Nigeria, for example, women account for 70 percent of agricultural workers.
Climate disasters such as floods, and drought wreak havoc across Africa. Planting and growing crops become more complex, animals and water supply are reduced, and living becomes increasingly difficult, especially for African women who provide the bulk of the labor input. Climate disaster incidences have severe effects on the most vulnerable populations, which include women.
The roles and responsibilities of women in the home and on the farm make them more vulnerable to the effects of extreme weather that results in droughts and floods. When considering climate change adaptation measures, it is essential to identify gender-sensitive strategies that consider women because they are affected differently than men.
climate change effects on African women
Droughts do not only lead to famine, but they make women’s ability to perform agricultural and home tasks difficult. The consequence of drought in the daily activities of African women is that resources needed for domestic consumption are scarce. Women in African countries where drought is prevalent usually find themselves walking longer distances to get resources (like fetch water) for domestic use.
Additionally, drought affects agricultural products affecting women’s welfare and source of income. For example, a sudden stop of rainfall in several states in Nigeria affected the livelihood of small-scale farmers. In Zimbabwe, 11 million people are battling food shortages caused by drought. If deliberate measures are not put in place to curb the effect of drought, over a hundred million people would be forced into poverty by 2030, as stated by the world bank. As it is, drought is gradually increasing the number of poor and vulnerable people in Africa.
Flooding causes disasters like mudslides which occur when water speedily gathers in the ground and results in an outpouring of flooded rock, and debris. Like drought, mudslides destroy farms, affect women’s livelihood, and leads to displacement. For example, in South Africa, mudslides killed at least sixty people and made over 1,000 people homeless in 2019 after days of heavy rainfall.
While the effects of flooding include the loss of lives, destruction of crops, loss of livestock, and property damage, the aftermath of flooding usually results in more intense work for African women. Once the flood subsides, women become occupied with building back and making sure the home is back to normal – that is, if they are not displaced.
After a flood, women must manage limited resources and restart their income-generating activities, including farming and livestock raising. The United Nations report on climate change displacement says that eighty percent of people displaced by the effects of climate change are women. Women that are victims of climate displacement are susceptible to gender-based violence.
Flooding impacts agriculture production by resulting in crop loss. Flood usually washes the topsoil that contains essential nutrients the crop need. Crop loss will eventually result in a reduction in the fertility of the soil. In some cases, flood sweeps away the crop, leading to low harvest, resulting in food insecurity. The outcome of low yield in most situations is food shortage and an increase in the prices of agricultural produce.
Africa needs to act. It is important to include women’s issues in all actions taken to fight climate change. Some steps governments in Africa can take to drive climate and environmental actions are:
- Support Women – Since women are affected differently than men as a result of climate change, it is imperative to include women when drawing up plans and policies around climate action. African governments should include women in their national adaptation program on climate change by promoting and funding women-led and women-focused sustainable solutions. Women in rural areas do not have direct and sufficient access to funds that could help them to reduce weather-related losses.
Also, investing in women in response to climate disasters would yield environmental gains and greater returns to the continent. It could result in the achievement of sustainable development goals. It is then necessary to develop support for the victims of floods, drought, and cyclones. Social support programs to assist internally displaced people, especially women and girls who are subjected to increased violence. Support programs should include assistance to help women move on after a catastrophe hits, so they are able to recover.
- Informed Policies – Effective policy making depends on using robust scientific information and addressing misinformation. An informed policy-making plan should utilize the assistance of science agencies and organizations to help develop policies that will help drive climate change agenda on the continent. As Josefa Sackor, commission for Rural Economy Agriculture said, “science-based climate information is the foundation of resilience building, a cornerstone of climate change adaptation, as well as an oasis for sustainable livelihoods and development.”
Institution such as the African Development Bank (AFDB) has initiated lots of development strategies that can advance the continent’s climate fight. One of such is establishing the African Climate Change Fund, whose core objective is to focus on the transition to green growth.
Moreover, involving women in making climate policy would influence and support policies that will empower them with resources and opportunities needed to build resilience, boost preparedness, and cope with the challenges of extreme weather. The absence of meaningful participation of women would undermine the effectiveness and sustainability of climate disaster projects and programs.
- Implement plan to manage waste – Governments should work towards preventing waste, and diverting waste from landfill and pushing the concept of a circular economy. Waste is a large source of greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to climate change. Although, on average, Africa emits the lowest gas emissions, research has shown that Africa emitted about 5.4 billion and 6.0 billion tons of net carbon dioxide from agriculture, forestry, and other land use sectors in 2015 and 2016 respectively. In addition, according to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), “Africa’s waste generation is expected to double by 2025, and the growth in waste generation in Africa is expected to be so significant, that any decrease in waste generation in other regions globally will be overshadowed by Africa.” Plastic waste produces greenhouse gas emissions during every stage of its lifecycle.
Furthermore, African governments can initiate plans to improve slum areas. Slums are highly prone to natural disasters. United Nations statistics report that 238 million people in sub-Sahara Africa live in the slum, where drainage canals, solid waste management, and sewage systems are always inadequate. Poor infrastructure and encroachment along watercourses, wetlands, low-elevation coastal zones, and steep slopes, which could multiply the effects of climate change, prevails in slum areas. Hence, if strategies to improve slum areas in Africa are not in place, slum dwellers would continue to face challenges that come with climate disasters.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) notes that in Uganda, Mozambique, and Malawi, domestic violence and sexual abuse rates grew during long periods of drought. The implication of climate displacement to women contributes to high rates of child marriage and early pregnancy and increases women’s risks of violence and exploitation.
While women are vulnerable to climate disasters, they can also be active agents of change. Involving women at the local level in the climate change fight not only helps creates a more equitable, sustainable, and climate-resistant world, but also puts women at the center of their own affairs.
Owing to this, African governments would be moving towards the tackling, and mitigation of climate disasters while improving the socioeconomic status of women on the continent. The fight against global warming is one that must be tackled with all hands on Earth.
