Opening Statement by the Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Samira Bawumia at the Africa Women and Children Conference 2023

This story of Binta and her children represents the stories of many women and children across our continent. Her story is OUR story! Collectively, our livelihoods are gradually being impacted by the effects of climate change, yet our ability to contribute to the climate action conversation is curtailed. Imagine a world where Binta and other women like her had access to resources and information that could improve their farming activities, their energy sources and use, and could make decisions that would contribute to positive climate action.

A very warm welcome to you all from across the continent and the globe, especially our gracious host, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana, who has honoured us with his presence.

It is indeed a great pleasure to have you all with us, as we open the inaugural edition of the Africa Women and Children Conference (AFRIWOCC), an initiative of the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects, on the theme: “Amplifying the Voices of Women and Children in Climate Action”.  This theme is in recognition of the pivotal role women play in shaping the sustainable and resilient future of our beloved continent.

Every now and then in history, humanity faces its moments of infamy. Moments that present us with stark choices of destiny. Our world, -our time now is experiencing its moment. Our world- the only earth we have stands on the cups of uncertainties confronting the future of humanity like never before.

The raging fires of Europe and North America, the steaming heat across the globe and the many climate related impacts on vulnerable groups, remain daunting reminders of a disaster unfolding in real time.

Regrettably, the voices of the worst affected are drowned out in the conversation. Women, children, and Africa! What is a responsible generation to do in the face of this challenge?

We must speak up, we must act right, we must lead, and we must be the solution. I therefore charge us all not to treat this conference as the usual “talk show”, but rather, a commitment to seeing the vision through.

AFRIWOCC is being convened as that commitment platform; to discuss the impact of climate change on women and children in Africa, assess relevant mitigation and adaptation policies and projects, while utilizing indigenous knowledge as well as innovative ideas, and to coordinate a network of organizations focused on women and children in the climate change economy in Africa. This novel conference will be a forum for discussing policy gaps and advocating for gender-responsive and child-centered policies and measures at various levels.

My passion for the wellbeing of women and children birthed the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP), a not-for-profit organization established with the purpose of empowering the underprivileged and underserved through diverse social intervention projects. Over the past six and half years, SEHP has undertaken timely initiatives in the areas of health, education, and the economic empowerment of women.

Our Safe Delivery Initiative has provided over seven thousand birth kits to expectant mothers, saving the lives of mothers and new-borns and dramatically reducing maternal mortality in the target communities. The SHEP Literacy Projects have provided books to over five hundred thousand (500,000) students, and our Skills and Entrepreneurial Initiative has also trained over six thousand (6000) women in diverse vocations.

Your Excellencies, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, through our humanitarian projects, and my role as a Global Ambassador of the Clean Cooking Alliance, a Global Champion of the World Health Organization’s Health and Energy Platform for Action, a recipient of the  Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Seven for 7 Award; an award which celebrates global leadership on Sustainable Development Goal 7, as well as participating in several climate conferences at the invitation of the United Nations, European Union, World Bank, World Health Organisation, including the First Global Conference on Air Pollution,  and several UNFCCC Conference of Parties over the years, I have come to realize that we need to take deliberate steps to amplify the voices of women and children in the climate action.

Climate Change, a rife and developmental global threat, is being experienced in all countries, it is not a respecter of economy or gender but the vulnerability and impacts are not experienced equally. Climate change impacts such as droughts, floods, erratic rainfall patterns and sea level rise are being recorded in many parts of the world, especially in small island states, parts of Asia and mostly Africa.

Africa is a continent blessed with abundant natural resources and cultural diversity. However, it is also one of the regions most vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. Climate change exacerbates existing challenges, threatens livelihoods, and disproportionately affects the most vulnerable—women and children.

Today, we acknowledge the undeniable truth that women and children are not just victims of climate change; they are powerful agents of change themselves. From the rural communities to urban centers, African women have demonstrated remarkable resilience, adaptability, and resourcefulness in the face of climate-related challenges. Children, too, have proven time and again that they are inheritors of this planet and are rightfully concerned about the environmental legacy we leave behind.

The time has come to empower women and children to actively participate in climate action and decision-making processes. When we amplify our voices, we enable them to contribute innovative solutions and sustainable strategies that can revolutionize our approach to tackling climate change. By embracing gender equality and empowering our young generation, we can unlock a wellspring of untapped potential that will steer us towards a greener and more inclusive Africa.

There exist several gaps that hinder the effective role out of international decisions on women and children participation in climate discussions. These gaps include the unequal representation of women and children in climate discussions, the lack of gender-disaggregated data and inadequate technology and innovation, which compromises efforts to outline gender-responsive interventions to enhance the capabilities of women and children in adapting to climate change.

It is in recognition of the foregoing, that together with our partners and sponsors, the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects, is  convening this two-day conference to bring together leaders, experts and stakeholders, to deliberate and assess the impacts of the climate crises on women and children in Africa, advocate for women and children centred policies, discuss practical and realistic climate initiatives, coordinate a network of organizations in the climate space and document indigenous knowledge and innovation for replication, upscaling and most importantly, put women and children at the heart of climate action, to be the anchor for solutions.

Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I kindly entreat us all to engage fully in all the panel discussions and breakout sessions as we expect to climax with a commitment that will advance actions towards the well-being of women and children in climate change mitigation and adaptation, through an ambitious call to action. Discussions during this conference will include but are not limited to;

•        policy activation;

•        breaking barriers and increasing women and children representation;

•        leveraging indigenous resources;

•        incorporating technology and innovation measures in climate change initiatives;

•        accessing Green Financing;

•        climate change and health impacts; and

•        building synergies to promote viable interventions and create a platform for nuanced implementation of actions that empower women and children for climate resilient sustainable development.

As we discuss and collaborate during this conference, let us not forget that climate action must be holistic, inclusive, and intersectional.

It must address the diverse needs and challenges faced by women and children from different backgrounds, including those in rural areas, urban centers, indigenous communities, and persons with disabilities. Only through a comprehensive approach can we ensure that no one is left behind in our pursuit of sustainability.

I call upon governments, organizations, businesses, and individuals to recognize the urgency of the climate crisis and embrace the transformative power of gender equality. Let us support initiatives that amplify the voices of women and children, create platforms for their ideas to flourish, and elevate their leadership roles in climate action.

We cannot make progress without leveraging the full resources of the majority of our population, especially in decision making. Women and children bear the brunt of disaster, both natural and manmade. They are disproportionately and negatively impacted by effects of climate change, even though they contribute the least to climate change.

Therefore, this Africa Women and Children Conference is a powerful opportunity for us to unite, learn from each other, and craft a shared vision for a sustainable and equitable future. Together, we can make a difference—by listening, amplifying, and empowering the voices of women and children in our collective fight against climate change. Recommendations and resolutions emerging from the conference will influence decision-making processes, leading to more inclusive and effective climate policies to feed into the Africa Climate Week in September, 2023, hosted by Kenya and COP 28 in Dubai, UAE.

I am deeply grateful to His Excellency, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the opportunity to host this conference in Ghana and for his esteemed presence.

Many thanks also to the Special Guest of Honour; H.E Dr. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, the Director General of the World Trade Organisation; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, our Special Guest Speaker.

I also appreciate the United Nations and its Agencies in Ghana, the European Union Delegation to Ghana, The KGL Foundation, the Ministry of Energy and its agencies, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and its agencies, and the Ministries of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Gender, Children and Social Protection, and all our partners for your tireless contributions towards the conference. Let let us seize this moment to create a greener, safer, and more prosperous Africa for all.

I speak not before you today as a woman but a citizen of the world overwhelmed by the suffering and anguish of Africa’s poor dominated by losses and damage to its women and children! In the meantime, the fossil fuel industry continues decimate communities across the continent! I will end where I begun by making a plea for meaningful commitment in this meeting. Let’s not our gathering be in vain.    Let our efforts match our acts. In the tone of the cliche let’s put our money where our mouths are. Remember the helpless child whose future is damned by our past and present actions move our collective consciences towards action-meaningful action to save ourselves! Only if we see this as a favor to ourselves should we be moved to act!

Thank you all for your attention and may Allah bless us all, Ghana and mother Africa.