Climate Justice Fund: A call to action for the Afr...

Climate Justice Fund: A call to action for the African Union

Rutendo Mzhindu

Zim now Reporter

Women's rights groups in Zimbabwe are urging the African Union (AU) to establish a dedicated Climate Justice Fund to address the growing vulnerabilities faced by women and girls due to climate change. During a recent meeting in Harare, these organizations expressed concerns about the escalating link between climate change and gender-based violence (GBV). They also criticized a 79-page draft set to be presented to the AU, citing its lack of emphasis on climate justice.

Climate change is not only destroying homes but also leading to a rise in violence against women and girls. Many girls are forced to drop out of school during climate-related disasters, while women face physical and emotional violence from their spouses due to lack of resources . The journeys to collect food, water, and firewood leave them vulnerable to sexual abuse.

Gamuchirai Gono, communications and advocacy consultant for the Rozario Memorial Trust, stressed the urgent need for a reserve fund accessible to African nations during times of drought . This fund would support marginalized groups, who are disproportionately affected by climate change.

Climate justice focuses on reducing emissions, protecting the environment, and fostering a more just and equitable world

The proposed Climate Justice Fund would complement ongoing conservation efforts across the continent ¹. It aligns with the Pan-African conservation trust fund developed at the inaugural IUCN African Protected Areas Congress (APAC) in Kigali, Rwanda, in July 2022.

The African Union must prioritize the establishment of this fund, recognizing climate change as a global crisis ¹. Women's rights groups in Zimbabwe are leading the charge, and it's time for the AU to take action.