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Voices of Resilience: Kwale Women Leading Climate Justice on Women's Day
In a spirited celebration of International Women’s Day in Kwale County, Kenya, The African Activists for Climate Justice (AACJ) joined forces with Vice Versa Global to engage and facilitate a series of empowering activities during the IWD Localizing SDGs Festival. The three-day celebration from the 6th-8th of March, brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including government officials, private sector representatives, local communities, and youth community-based organizations (CBOs).
The event served as a platform for fostering connections and collaborations, with the county government of Kwale strongly represented by key figures such as the Women Representative, Hon. Fatuma Masito, the Speaker of the County Assembly, Hon. Seth Mwatela, and ministers from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour and Social Development. Engaging in intergenerational dialogues with the community, the discussions focused on climate change and gender empowerment, emphasizing the importance of robust and inclusive youth movements for impactful change
One of the festival’s highlights was the involvement of various stakeholders in a range of activities, including mini-Olympics, football matches, and panel discussions addressing critical issues faced by women. The overarching theme of investing in women to accelerate progress resonated throughout the festival, particularly during a panel on climate finance flows.
During the climate finance panel, PACJA showcased its initiatives, such as AFDAN and the CJRFA (small grants) facility, as key opportunities to enhance community resilience through locally-led initiatives. The discussion underscored the significance of building strong, connected movements and protecting environmental and human rights defenders and communities.
A key takeaway from the festival was the imperative need to empower women, enhancing their resilience and capacity to innovate and take bold action in the face of climate change challenges. The panel called for a shift beyond acquiring knowledge, encouraging women and girls to be bold and take action, especially within the context of climate change and health. The emphasis on inclusive, gender-just strategies was highlighted as crucial for wider impact.
The panel also issued a compelling call for all women to amplify their voices in the climate action space. Stakeholders were urged to bridge gender financial gaps to promote equity and hasten progress. PACJA’s role in convening Non-State Actors and building the capacity of youth through the NSSCJ was underscored, alongside the recognition of FEMNET’s Feminist COP and Academies as key opportunities for capacity building and advocating for gender justice.
The celebration was further enriched by the presence of partners such as Natural Justice, represented by the Community Environmental Legal Officer (CELO) Lead Justus Tsofa, Kilifi Youth on the Move from KPCG, and Dutch Power of Voices Partners Hivos and Vice Versa. Strategic connections were established with the US Embassy Grant Writing Lead team, Samba Sports based in Kwale, who hosted the event, and Women-led Community Groups.
The International Women’s Day celebration in Kwale County emerged as a vibrant and impactful event, showcasing the collective commitment of diverse stakeholders towards empowering women for climate justice. As the echoes of this celebration reverberate, it is clear that the call to amplify women’s voices and bridge gender gaps will continue to drive positive change in the pursuit of a more equitable and sustainable future.