Times Of Swaziland: BRIDGING CLIMATE CHANGE GAP: WOMEN, WATER, ACTION IN ESWATINI

BRIDGING CLIMATE CHANGE GAP: WOMEN, WATER, ACTION IN ESWATINI
================================================================================
Zandisile Howe on 26/09/2024 07:38:00


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.