By Tshidy Phakoe
The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29) presents a critical opportunity to address the pressing issue of climate change and its disproportionate impact on rural women, particularly in vulnerable countries like Lesotho. Climate change is not gender-neutral. It exacerbates existing inequalities, with rural women bearing the brunt of its devastating effects. Yet, despite their vulnerability, these women remain underrepresented in global decision-making spaces and underfunded in their local initiatives. At COP 29, there must be a concerted effort to allocate adequate funds for women-led initiatives and ensure transparency in climate financing to address these disparities effectively.
Lesotho, a small landlocked country in Southern Africa, is experiencing the devastating consequences of climate change. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and prolonged droughts are becoming the norm, severely affecting agriculture, which is the backbone of the rural economy. Women in Lesotho, who are often responsible for small-scale farming and food production, are hit hardest.
Unpredictable weather patterns have led to crop failures, diminished yields, and degraded soil quality. This has resulted in widespread food insecurity, with rural women struggling to provide for their families. In a country where over 70% of the population relies on subsistence farming, the inability to produce sufficient food threatens not only livelihoods but also survival.
Poverty and Economic Strain: Climate change has deepened poverty levels among rural women. As agriculture becomes less viable, many women are forced to seek alternative livelihoods, often in informal and precarious sectors. This economic strain exacerbates gender inequalities, as women have limited access to resources such as credit, land, and technology that could help them adapt to climate challenges.
Rise in Gender-Based Violence and Health Risks: The intersection of climate change and socio-economic challenges has contributed to a rise in gender-based violence (GBV). Financial stress and food insecurity often lead to tensions within households, increasing the risk of domestic violence. Additionally, the migration of men to urban areas in search of work leaves women more vulnerable to sexual exploitation. The lack of resources and education has also led to a rise in sexually transmitted diseases, as poverty drives some women to engage in survival sex to meet basic needs.
Women-Led Initiatives: Rural women in Lesotho are not passive victims of climate change; they are agents of change. Women-led initiatives in the country have demonstrated their potential to build resilience and foster sustainable development. Examples include:
1. Agroforestry Projects: Women’s groups in Lesotho have spearheaded tree-planting initiatives to combat soil erosion, improve water retention, and create a buffer against climate-induced desertification. These efforts contribute to both environmental restoration and food security.
2. Renewable Energy Solutions: Some women-led organizations have introduced solar energy solutions in rural communities, reducing dependence on environmentally harmful energy sources like firewood and coal. This not only mitigates climate change but also alleviates the burden on women who often spend hours collecting firewood.
3. Community-Based Climate Education: Women have been at the forefront of educating their communities about climate adaptation strategies, such as water conservation techniques and climate-resilient farming practices.
Despite their transformative impact, these initiatives are severely underfunded. Women-led projects often lack access to climate financing due to systemic barriers, including bureaucratic red tape, limited information, and inadequate representation in decision-making spaces. This needs to change.
Advocating for Gender-Responsive Climate Financing at COP 29:
As global leaders gather at COP 29, it is crucial to advocate for increased allocation of funds to women-led initiatives and ensure transparency in the distribution of climate funds. Key recommendations include:
1. Prioritizing Gender-Responsive Funding: Climate financing mechanisms, such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Adaptation Fund, should earmark a significant portion of their resources for women-led projects. This requires adopting gender-responsive budgeting practices and engaging women’s organizations in fund allocation processes.
2. Ensuring Transparency and Accountability: Climate funds must be distributed transparently, with clear criteria and monitoring systems to track their impact. Governments and international organizations should publish detailed reports on how funds are allocated and used, ensuring that rural women directly benefit from these resources.
3. Capacity Building and Representation: Investing in the capacity building of rural women’s organizations is essential to enable them to access and manage climate funds effectively. Additionally, women must have a seat at the table in national and international climate negotiations to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are prioritized.
4. Integrating Local Knowledge: Women in rural communities possess valuable traditional knowledge about sustainable farming, water management, and environmental conservation. Climate financing should recognize and integrate this knowledge into funded projects to enhance their effectiveness and sustainability.
Failure to act will have dire consequences, not just for rural women in Lesotho but for global efforts to combat climate change. Women’s empowerment is intrinsically linked to environmental sustainability. Investing in women-led initiatives not only addresses gender inequality but also amplifies the impact of climate action. Studies show that when women are involved in decision-making, environmental policies and programs are more effective and inclusive.
Moreover, lack of transparency in climate financing undermines trust and accountability, jeopardizing international cooperation on climate change. Without robust mechanisms to ensure funds reach those most in need, the global climate agenda risks perpetuating existing inequalities.
COP 29 represents a critical juncture for global leaders to demonstrate their commitment to a just and inclusive climate agenda. For countries like Lesotho, where rural women are at the forefront of the climate crisis, this is an opportunity to translate promises into action. Allocating funds to women-led initiatives and ensuring transparency in climate financing are not just moral imperatives, they are strategic necessities for building a resilient and equitable future. Rural women in Lesotho have the potential to lead transformational change, but they need the resources and recognition to do so. Let COP 29 be the moment we turn the tide
