WOMEN’S rights groups in Zimbabwe have called on the African Union (AU) to establish a dedicated Climate Justice Fund to combat vulnerabilities faced by women and girls due to climate change.
The women were gathered in Harare on Monday to address pressing issues of gender-based violence (GBV) exacerbated by climate change.
They expressed concern over a 79-page draft set to be presented to the AU, which notably lacked references to climate justice.
Participants highlighted how the impacts of climate change were not only destroying homes, but also increasing incidences of violence against women and girls.
Gamuchirai Gono, the Rozario Memorial Trust communications and advocacy consultant, said there was a need to establish a reserve fund to be accessed by countries during times of drought, which disproportionately affects marginalised groups.
“With regards to climate justice, some of the recommendations were coming out from the people for the allocation of a reserve fund that can be used by the entire continent. This will help countries to withdraw funds from AU in times of drought which is affecting marginalised groups,” Gono said.
She implored the AU to prioritise the establishment of the fund, arguing that climate change was affecting the whole world.
Climate justice seeks to address the climate crisis not only by reducing emissions and protecting the environment, but also by fostering a fairer and more equitable world.
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This approach is built on six key pillars including Just Transition, Social, Racial, and Environmental Justice, Indigenous Climate Action, Community Resilience and Adaptation, Natural Climate Solution and Climate Education and Engagement
The effects of climate change on women and girls are profound with some of the latter dropping out of school during disasters while women are forced to travel long distances in search of food, water and firewood.
“When this happens, women are either sexually abused while fetching water or firewood or are mentally, physically assaulted by their spouses when they get home late or when there is no food,” she said.
The proposal for a Climate Justice Fund aligns with ongoing efforts by conservationists to establish a Pan-African conservation trust fund.
This financing mechanism was designed during the inaugural IUCN African Protected Areas Congress (APAC) held in July 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda.
The fund aims to address long-standing barriers to accessing funding and compensation for victims of human-wildlife conflict.
By establishing a dedicated Climate Justice Fund, the AU could take a significant step towards protecting vulnerable populations and fostering resilience in the face of climate challenges.
