As the nation awaits passage and assent to the 2021 budget, the Women Environmental Programme (WEP), have said they want to see the federal government support women stave off the impact of climate change.
Executive Director, Women Environmental Programme (WEP), Ann-Marie Abaagu, said this in a phone interview, with the Tribune Online.
According to her, such support in the budgetary provision should address the gaps in small scale farming, clean energy and renewable energy technologies for women.
Her words: “We want to see in the budget, support to women small scale farmers, budget line for renewable energy, clean and affordable cooking stoves, budget for capacity building of women on renewable energy technologies, sensitization on climate change issues especially as they affect women among other related budget lines.
“We also expect to see a budget line for implementation of the national action plan on Gender and Climate change for Nigeria.”
Abaagu also said it was interested in the implementation of a national gender-based action plan and ensuring its implementation in the coming year.
“WEP pushed for the development of the National Action Plan on Gender and Climate Change which the ministry now has a budget line for its implementation. This in addition to other recommendations made by WEP to the ministry which have been budgeted for and implemented.”
Abaagu said the financial pledges by the United States, United Kingdoms and others to fund climate change initiatives when redeemed, could impact the Nigerian woman who bears the brunt of climate change in many fronts and manifestations.
“If these pledges are redeemed it will make funding available for NGOs and CSOs that are involved in the implementation of climate change, mitigation and adaptation.
“This funding can also be accessible to Nigeria to expand on its implementation strategy for its National Action Plan on Gender and Climate Change.
“By these funds are accessed and used to implement mitigation and adaption project, they will address those climate change impacts that affect women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
“For example, issues of water scarcity, desertification, flooding e.t.c which affects agriculture and other livelihoods of women and other vulnerable groups would have been addressed,” Abaagu stated.
She said the conference of parties COP26 had outcomes that could improve the conditions of the Nigerian woman in adaption.
“The just-concluded cop26 in Glasgow produced several outcomes that are related to gender equality and environmental justice.
“These outcomes include: increase commitment by countries to mainstream and fund gender and climate change actions, increased commitment to climate funds for mitigation and adaptation actions, phasing down of coal, commitment to transition to renewable energy and electric vehicles and commitment to address desertification.
She noted that in its quest for climate change justice, WEP would engage state governments for pledges and funding commitments that would further gender and climate objectives.
This she said would ensure that women, both old and young women in any region of Nigeria can equally be involved in the discussion of climate change, actions and mitigation.
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