The Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC) has highlighted the urgent need for empowering women through climate change training and financial resources to help them mitigate and adapt to climate impacts in Malawi.
Speaking during a two-day training on women’s involvement in climate action on Tuesday in Lilongwe, Stella Gama, a climate change and gender expert, emphasized the vital role of supporting women.
According to Gama, women are often disproportionately affected by climate change, making empowerment and resource provision essential for them to contribute effectively to climate solutions.
“Women are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Empowering and training them is critical so they can become resilient and self-sufficient in facing climate challenges,” said Gama.
© 📷 Gama: Women are vulnerable to effects of climate changeCISONECC National Coordinator Julius Ng’oma further underscored the importance of equipping women with the knowledge and skills needed to actively participate in climate change initiatives.
In his presentation, Ng’oma detailed the unique impact of climate change on women and girls in Malawi, noting how it exacerbates issues like limited access to healthcare, economic opportunities, and essential resources.
“Climate justice aims to address these inequities directly through sustainable mitigation and adaptation strategies,” Ng’oma emphasized.
Chifundo Macheka, a Project Officer from Churches Action in Relief and Development (CARD), described the training as an invaluable learning experience.
She noted that it offered insights into strategies for closing the participation gap in policy formulation and underscored the role of organizations in empowering women in climate action.
© 📷 Macheka: The training has offered a learning experience“The training has highlighted the importance of climate finance, and we have learned the need to implement projects that uplift women’s lives. I encourage my fellow women to actively contribute to climate action,” Macheka said.
Echoing Macheka’s sentiments, Stella Zimba Wella, Gender Officer at the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, described the training as a meaningful opportunity for women to learn about empowerment avenues and sources of financial assistance for climate resilience.
“This training has clarified our role as women in tackling climate change and shown us where to seek support if impacted, such as through Climate Change Response Programs,” added Wella.
The training which brought together women representatives from across Malawi’s regions to empower them with skills and knowledge on climate change management issues to advance climate justice in Malawi, was organized by CISONECC with support from the Commonwealth Foundation and European Union through Oxfam.
The two-day training was organized under the Enhancing Access and Participation in Climate Change Policy Development and Implementation Project; and the Promoting Equitable Access to Clean Energy Project.