Rural Women Assembly Zimbabwe through Women and Land in Zimbabwe (WLZ) took a bold and transformative message to the global stage at the 2026 Women Deliver Conference in Melbourne, where they hosted a powerful side event on “Centering Gender Justice in Africa’s Climate Crisis.” The session brought together diverse civil society organizations (CSOs), partners, and advocates, all united by a shared commitment to advancing just, inclusive, and sustainable climate solutions for Africa.
At the core of the dialogue was a critical truth: the climate crisis in Africa is not just an environmental issue it is fundamentally a justice issue. Despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, African countries continue to bear the brunt of climate change. Across the continent, communities are experiencing escalating heatwaves, prolonged droughts, desertification, floods, and forced displacement. These impacts are deeply unequal, disproportionately affecting women and girls, particularly in rural areas where systemic inequalities around land ownership, access to resources, and decision-making power persist.
The session highlighted how women experience climate change in unique and often more severe ways due to their socially assigned roles in food production, water collection, and household care. However, the narrative does not end with vulnerability. Women are not merely victims of climate injustice they are central to the solutions. Across Africa, women are custodians of indigenous knowledge systems, holding generations of expertise in biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture, and natural resource management.
In her compelling presentation, Thandiwe (RWA Zimbabwe Leader) emphasized that rural women must be recognized not only as affected populations but as frontline leaders in climate action. She noted that rural women already possess practical, community-driven solutions rooted in lived experience and indigenous knowledge. As she powerfully stated, “Rural women have the solutions; therefore, they must be on the frontline of climate action.” Her message underscored that their role must never be underestimated, and that meaningful climate interventions must be grounded in the realities and leadership of those most affected.
Participants further underscored that women are central to land stewardship, food security, water protection, and building resilient communities. Yet, despite their indispensable contributions, they remain largely excluded from key decision-making spaces and climate financing mechanisms. The discussion made it clear that climate action will fall short if it fails to address these structural inequalities. Gender justice must be placed at the center of all climate responses not treated as an afterthought.
A major focus of the session was the urgent need to reform climate financing systems. Current funding structures often fail to reach grassroots and women-led initiatives due to bureaucratic barriers, technical requirements, and limited accessibility. WLZ and its partners called for the creation of direct, flexible, and transparent financing mechanisms that are gender-responsive and accessible to local communities. Ensuring that resources reach those on the frontlines particularly rural women is essential for achieving meaningful and lasting climate impact.
The session concluded with a strong and unified Call to Action directed at governments, donors, multilateral institutions, civil society, and the private sector. Stakeholders were urged to prioritize gender-just climate policies that center women’s rights, leadership, and lived experiences in all frameworks and negotiations. There was also a clear call to unlock direct funding for women-led initiatives by simplifying access and designing inclusive, adaptable financing systems.
Securing women’s land and resource rights was identified as a critical foundation for climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods. Participants emphasized the need for gender-responsive land reforms and policies that guarantee women equal access to land, natural resources, and productive assets. Additionally, the session called for greater recognition and investment in indigenous knowledge systems led by women, acknowledging their vital role in climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration.
Ensuring the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women especially young women and marginalized groups in climate governance was another key priority. Inclusive decision-making processes, participants noted, are essential for developing effective and equitable climate solutions. Strengthening feminist movements and networks, including the Africa Climate Justice Movement (ACJM), was also highlighted as critical for fostering solidarity, collective advocacy, and long-term systemic change.
Accountability and transparency emerged as non-negotiable elements in advancing climate justice. Participants called for robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track commitments on gender and climate action, ensuring that climate finance reaches its intended beneficiaries and delivers measurable, equitable outcomes. There was a strong consensus that the time for rhetoric has passed what is needed now is bold, concrete action.
The closing message of the session was both urgent and inspiring: the climate crisis is not gender-neutral, and neither are its solutions. A just transition depends on recognizing the inseparable link between gender justice and climate justice. By centering African women’s voices, leadership, and rights, the global community can unlock pathways toward inclusive, equitable, and sustainable climate action.
As echoed throughout the discussions in Melbourne, the future of climate resilience in Africa lies in the hands of those who are already leading change at the grassroots. Empowering rural women is not only a matter of justice it is a strategic imperative. Their knowledge, leadership, and innovation are key to building a climate-resilient Africa where no one is left behind.
