BRIDGING CLIMATE CHANGE GAP: WOMEN, WATER, ACTION IN ESWATINI

This week’s article was inspired by a recent panel discussion I participated in on the impacts of the El Niño drought, which raised pressing questions about climate change and water security.

This experience made reading the Eswatini Climate Change and Water Security Gender Analysis Report all the more relevant. The report delves deeply into how climate change exacerbates existing gender inequalities, particularly in the areas of water security and climate resilience. The Eswatini Climate Change and Water Security Gender Analysis Report, shows that women are more vulnerable to climate change due to their socially assigned roles. In Eswatini, women are typically responsible for household water collection and food security. These roles have become increasingly difficult due to droughts and water shortages, forcing women to walk longer distances for water and reducing the time they have for education, work, or other productive activities. The report highlights that these challenges worsen during extreme weather events like the El Niño drought, where water becomes even scarcer.

Key findings

Gender blind policies: Many laws and policies related to climate change and water security do not incorporate a gender perspective. For example, the Environment Management Act and the Water Act lack gender-sensitive approaches, which means they fail to account for the different ways men and women experience climate impacts. This perpetuates existing inequalities and leaves women particularly vulnerable. Capacity gaps: Eswatini’s national institutions are not fully equipped to mainstream gender in climate and water security programmes. While some policies recognise gender differences, they often fail to implement effective strategies that empower women. Strengthening institutional capacity to address these gaps is essential to ensuring climate resilience for all citizens.

Gender-based inequities: women in Eswatini are disproportionately affected by water scarcity, particularly in rural areas where droughts are frequent. Since women are primarily responsible for water collection, they are more exposed to the negative effects of climate change. The report stresses the importance of addressing these inequities through targeted interventions. Need for gender-responsive planning: The report highlights the lack of gender-disaggregated data in many climate and water security projects. Such data is essential to tailoring interventions that meet the specific needs of both women and men. Moreover, it emphasises the importance of including women in decision-making processes related to water resource management, ensuring that both genders are equally represented.

Addressing the gaps through gender-responsive policies
Projects like the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Project, led by the Global Water Partnership (GWP) Southern Africa, offer a roadmap for addressing these gaps. The GCF Readiness Project focuses on strengthening Eswatini’s capacity to mobilise gender-responsive climate finance, ensuring that future climate action projects consider and prioritise the needs of women and the youth.

The GCF project’s emphasis on collecting gender-disaggregated data is critical for designing interventions that directly address the vulnerabilities of women in the face of climate change.
Furthermore, the project promotes the involvement of women in decision-making processes related to water resource management, aligning with the key recommendations from the gender analysis report.
As a young person passionate about climate action, I see numerous opportunities for youth, especially young women, to take the lead in implementing the recommendations of the Eswatini Climate Change and Water Security Gender Analysis Report. Through youth-led advocacy, we can raise awareness about the gender-specific impacts of climate change and push for the inclusion of women and youth in climate policies and decision-making processes.

Young people can also engage in climate-resilient entrepreneurship by developing innovative solutions to address water scarcity. For example, youth-led businesses could focus on rainwater harvesting systems or sustainable agricultural practices that reduce dependency on vulnerable resources. Moreover, the report calls for the integration of science, technology, and innovation into climate action. This is an area where the youth can thrive, using their adaptability to lead the introduction of climate-smart technologies that benefit women by reducing the time spent on tasks like water collection or firewood gathering.

Turning findings into action
The gender analysis report makes it clear that mainstreaming gender in climate policies is crucial for building a climate-resilient future. The Green Climate Fund Readiness Project and other initiatives highlight the need for gender-responsive planning and the collection of gender-disaggregated data. As young people, we have a critical role to play in advocating for these changes and ensuring they are implemented. By actively participating in policy discussions, engaging in climate-resilient innovation, and raising awareness about the gendered impacts of climate change, the youth can drive the change needed to build a more equitable and sustainable future for Eswatini. The Eswatini Climate Change and Water Security Gender Analysis Report provides a detailed roadmap for addressing the gendered impacts of climate change. It calls for gender-responsive policies, better institutional capacity, and the inclusion of women in decision-making processes.

s a young person involved in climate action, I am inspired by the opportunities this report presents. By working together—young people, women, and policymakers—we can ensure that Eswatini builds a future that is not only climate-resilient but also inclusive and equitable for all.

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