Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe must ensure that the voices of  people most affected by climate change, particularly women and girls, are not only heard but placed at the centre of solutions  the country advocates for,  a senior government official has said.

Mavis Sibanda, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development  said this at a preparatory meeting of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29)  on Friday. The meeting was attended by civic society organizations, parastatatal repreentatives,  government ministries and development partners. The COP 29 meeting will  be held in Baku, Azerbaijan,from 11 – 22 November this year. One of the objectives of the Harare meeting was to come up with a position paper based on the voices of rural women as a way of influencing climate change decisions.

‘’Women and girls are disproportionately affected by climate change due to their societal roles and limited access to resources, face marginalization and exclusion from decision-making spaces.Climate change has a disproportionate impact on women and girls who have contributed the least to the problem and find their livelihoods and gender roles threatened,’’ Sibanda said, adding: ‘’This usually culminates in an increase in cases of gender-based violence, child marriages, and school dropouts. Despite bearing these heavy burdens, their voices remain underrepresented in global climate discussions.’’

Sibanda said rural women have the weakest voice in climate discussions and have the least influence in climate change discussions, especially on climate solutions/adaptations or mitigation adding that the Harare meeting was about ensuring that the voice of those most affected by climate change, particularly women and girls, are not only heard but placed at the centre of the solutions being  advocated for.

While the upcoming conference would discuss broader issues such as agriculture, food systems and land rights,  Sibanda said gender equality would also be of significant concern to the discussions. ‘’This is because climate change is not gender-neutral and is not just an environmental issue; it is a matter of social justice and human rights. Its impacts are felt disproportionately by the most vulnerable members of our society, particularly women and girls. They face unique challenges arising from climate change, such as increased workload, limited access to resources, and heightened risks to their health and safety.’’ she said.

Sibanda added: ‘’It is indeed crucial that we work together to amplify the voices of our women in all their diversity, ensuring that their participation at COP 29 is not merely symbolic but truly impactful.’’

The Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development is collaborating with various partners, to ensure that rural women are not left out of these critical conversations as Zimbabwe continuously engages with women in communities on climate change issues.

‘’We are confident that women, who bear the brunt of climate-related impacts, possess unique knowledge and perspectives essential for developing effective climate solutions,’’ the  permanent secretary said, ‘’ Women are also not just victims of climate change; they’re  powerful agents of change, and they play a vital role in climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience-building efforts.’’ said Sibanda. ‘’Their involvement in decision-making processes ensures that climate policies and programs are gender-responsive, equitable, and sustainable.’’

At the COP 29 meeting, Zimbabwe is expected to  showcase innovative strategies that highlight how empowering women can lead to more effective climate action through side events on sustainable agriculture and renewable energy initiatives.  These events, the meeting heard,were also expected to amplify the voices of women and marginalized communities who are disproportionately affected by climate change as well as showcase their efforts in creating sustainable solutions to climate change.