REMARKS BY H.E. BINETA DIOP
SPECIAL ENVOY OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION ON WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY
Women’s leadership in mitigating the impact of climate change and building a peaceful and sustainable climate-resilient Africa
H. E. Dr Jewel Howard Taylor: Vice-President of the Republic of Liberia
H.E. Ève Bazaiba Masudi: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
H.E. Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of Women Youth and Persons with Disabilities of South Africa
Honourable ministers in charge of women’s affairs;
H.E. Mrs Mathu Joyini, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN
H. E. Ms. Antje Leendertse, Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany to the UN
H.E. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, AU Commissioner for Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) Keynote Speaker
H.E. Fatima Kyari Mohammed: AU Permanent Representative to the United Nations
Ms. Sima Sami Bahous: UN Women Executive Director
Ms. Chido Mpemba: AU Youth Envoy
Representatives of the Civil society
Members of Africa Women Leaders Network
Ladies and gentlemen.
It is a real pleasure being with you today in this room and virtually after 2 long years of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The occasion affords us the opportunity to address the crucial issue of “Women’s leadership in mitigating the impact of climate change and building a peaceful and sustainable climate-resilient Africa“. Focusing on best practices and experience sharing as well as providing clear recommendations on how to mitigate the impact of climate change, it is our hope that the outcome of our discussion will contribute in galvanizing and accelerating our collective and bold actions.
Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen,
It was here in New York, in May 2017, that the African Women Leaders was officially launched, with the joint support of UN Women and the African Union (AU) Commission and the support of Germany. Its six areas of work cover: governance and political participation, women, peace and security (WPS), finance and entrepreneurship, supporting young women in leadership positions, agriculture, and social mobilisation. Since its creation, it has grown into a network with national chapters in 27 African countries.
In this Junctures, it will be remiss of me not to mention that many stakeholders have contributed to this positive result. Notably: The African Union, UN Women, Ghana, South Africa, Uganda (as chairs of Good of friends), the host Countries of our 27 chapters and finally our partner from start to now. Germany.
In line with its “raison d’etre”, the African Women Leaders Network conducted solidarity missions in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and the Lake Chad Basin. It was heartbreaking to witness the significant impact of climate change manifested in drought, severe flooding which resulted in food insecurity. In all these countries I visited, I could see the vulnerability of women due to conflict and climate change. Indeed, the conditions of women in this complex situation are devastating and their human security is jeopardized.
Africa relies heavily on the agricultural economy, with women playing a key role in subsistence food crop farming. This crisis is limiting them from such a critical role, hence exacerbating food Security.
Excellence, Mesdames et Messieurs;
A New York aussi bien que a Addis Abeba ma participation a vos travaux, dans le cadre de la Commission de la condition de la femme (csw) m’a permit d’apprendre des expériences africaines très enrichissantes prouvant suffisament que les femmes africaines sont non seulement résilientes mais aussi actrices de changement.
La question que nous devons nous poser, est comment les soutenir, renforcer leur capacité, les équiper à combattre les effets négatifs du changement climatique et amplifier les solutions androgènes.
Nos efforts dans ce sens doivent inclure, une stratégie inclusive portant entre autre sur :
- L’adhesion des femmes dans la reconstruction de l’écosystème, en exploitant la biodiversité et les services écosystémiques pour accroître la résilience des systèmes naturels au changement climatique et réduire la vulnérabilité des communautés
- La Participation des femmes à la prise des décisions à tous les niveaux de la vie politico-sociale de nos sociétés ainsi que leur adhésion a la table des négociations sur le financement de la révolution verte,
- L’accès des femmes sur toute la chaine de valeur de la production agricole y compris : la terre, les outils de productions et transformation, le marché, le financement.
Finalement, nous appelons les parties prenantes à se focaliser sur une question qui est fondamentale : le nexus entre les conflits le genre, le changement climatique ; l’éducation
Je terminerai par ce dernier point qui est particulièrement important pour l’Afrique ayant l’une des populations les plus jeunes au monde. Nous devons nous assurer que le continent récolte les bénéfices d’un dividende démographique et exploite l’énergie positive de la jeunesse pour l’atteinte et la consolidation de la paix et du développement durable conformément aux aspirations de l’Agenda 2063.
