International Women’s Day: Uniting for Climate Justice and Empowerment

International Women’s Day (IWD) in 2024 witnessed a vibrant and impactful celebration by the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) and its partners across the globe. The central theme, “Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress,” echoed through various events and initiatives, showcasing the commitment to climate justice and women’s empowerment.

Strengthening Bonds: PACJA’s Visit to The African Women’s Development and Communications Network

On #IWD2024, PACJA paid a significant courtesy visit to Femnet, emphasizing the mutual respect and admiration between the two organizations. The air was filled with dedication to advancing the agenda of climate justice and empowerment. The Executive Director of the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance, Dr. Mithika Mwenda, expressed gratitude to Femnet, recognizing their leadership in amplifying the voices of vulnerable communities affected by climate change. The collaboration goes beyond specific projects, driven by a shared vision of Pan-Africanism and unity for Africa.

FEMNET Office Visit

Grassroots Initiatives: Isiolo County’s Commitment

In Isiolo County, the Kenya Platform for Climate Governance (KPCG) celebrated IWD at the grassroots level, supported by PACJA. The focus was on encouraging women to adopt environmentally friendly cooking methods, addressing the release of high levels of carbon dioxide from traditional methods. Grassroots women in Burat, Isiolo, pledged to lead climate change action, embracing organic farming for food security, clean food consumption, and increased income.

Isiolo KPCG Event

SDG Festival in Kwale County

African Activists for Climate Justice joined forces in Kwale County for an SDG Festival, celebrating IWD with diverse stakeholders. The team engaged with the county government, private sector, local communities, and youth organizations during a 3-day festival. Activities included intergenerational dialogues, sports events, and panel discussions on critical issues faced by women.

Kwale County SDG Festival

 Empowering Women for Climate Action

Emphasizing the theme of investing in women to accelerate progress, a panel on climate finance flows highlighted PACJA’s initiatives as key opportunities for enhancing community resilience through locally-led projects. The need to empower women to build resilience, innovate, and amplify their voices was emphasized, especially within the climate change and health context.

The panel called on all women to take bold action for climate justice, urging stakeholders to bridge gender financial gaps for equitable progress. PACJA’s role in convening Non-State Actors and building youth capacity through the NSSCJ was highlighted, alongside FEMNET’s Feminist COP and Academies as key opportunities for capacity building and advocating for gender justice.

Representatives from AACJ partners, including Natural Justice, KPCG, and Dutch Power of Voices Partners, played a crucial role in adding diverse voices to the celebration. Strategic connections were forged with the US Embassy Grant Writing Lead team, Samba Sports, and Women-led Community Groups, reinforcing the collaborative spirit needed for meaningful change.

In summary, International Women’s Day 2024 became a platform for uniting diverse organizations, communities, and individuals in a collective effort towards climate justice, gender empowerment, and sustainable progress. The events showcased the power of collaboration, emphasizing the crucial role women play in addressing the pressing challenges of our time.