SEHP to host maiden Africa Women & Children confab  

IN line with the global commitment to address the impact of climate change on women and children, the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Project (SEHP) under the aegis of the office of the President, will, from August 2 to 4, 2023, hold the maiden edition of the Africa Women and Children Conference (AFRIWOCC) in Accra.

The conference will assess the impact of the climate crisis on women and children, advocate for policies that champion the interest of women and children in climate change sector regulations and development and coordinate a network of organizations focused on women and children in the climate change economy.

It will also create a platform to discuss practical and realistic projects and programmes to address the adverse effects of climate change on women and children and document indigenous knowledge and innovation in climate change. 

The conference themed “Amplifying the Voices of Women and Children in Climate Action,” is expected to end with the signing of a communique that represents a collective commitment to action. This document will guide governments, civil society, and the private sector to prioritize the rights and well-being of women and children in climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.

The outcomes of AFRIWOCC 2023 will contribute to discussions at the Africa Climate Week and Africa Climate Summit, scheduled for September 4^th – 6^th, 2023, in Nairobi, Kenya. These discussions will shape Africa’s position at the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties’ twenty-eighth session (COP 28), to be held from November 30^th – December 12^th, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The conference will pool a diverse range of participants, including high-level government officials, policymakers, renowned experts, representatives from international organizations, civil society, and grassroots community leaders to deliberate on the theme “Amplifying the Voices of Women and Children in Climate Action.”

The conference will feature Special Guest appearances by Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Ngozi Okonja-Iweala, Director- General of the World Trade Organisation.

This 2-day conference will foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration on climate change issues affecting women and children across Africa and beyond and also highlight the unique ways women can influence the achievement of positive Climate Action.

Climate change poses significant challenges globally, impacting vulnerable populations especially women and children disproportionately. As natural resource dependent and caretakers, women and children face adverse effects on their livelihoods, health, and well-being, necessitating urgent action to address their unique vulnerabilities in climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Therefore, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has included women and children in the climate-related negotiations and decision-making processes.

AFRIWOCC 2023 represents a pivotal moment in the pursuit of gender-responsive and people-centered climate policies in Africa. By intensifying the voices of women and children and fostering inclusive and sustainable climate action, this conference has the potential to create a lasting impact, drive transformative change and build a more resilient future for all in the face of climate change challenges.