Lamu women have demanded to be involved in climate change issues around the globe.
Under the umbrella of the Lamu Women Alliance, they acknowledged that women across the world grapple with the most burdens of climate change including poverty, preventable diseases and the impacts of climate shifts on farming and other aspects of their daily social-economic lives.
Despite all these challenges, they said women are always under-represented and sidelined in crucial decision making at county and national levels.
Speaking at their offices in Lamu island on Wednesday, LAWA executive director Raya Famau said there have been increased violation of women’s rights in relation to industrial investment decisions and use of practices that pollute the environment while at the same time contributing to the global climate crisis.
She said women globally have been excluded from important development decisions and that existing constitutional policies and women movements haven’t made much change.
Famau urged stakeholders to ensure women are fully involved in the chain of change to enable them make fair and effective decisions towards climate change.
“It regrettable that development decisions made without the contribution or consultation of women in Lamu, Kenya and across the world, have significantly contributed to environmental degradation, water scarcity and wildlife extinction,” Famau said.
The LAWA board member Khadija Juma said temperatures in Lamu for instance, have continued to dangerously increase with seasonal rains continuing to disappear as a result of climate change.
This year, Lamu received just about 83mm of rainfall, way below the long-term average of 284mm, which translates to 67 per cent below the rainfall performance recorded in the region annually.
Juma cited flooding and rising sea levels as among the negative impacts of climate change around the world hence the need for all, including women to be involved.
She called for a stop to and total abandonment of any energy investment that degrades natural water resources as well as forests, community, marine and terrestrial resources and national parks or wildlife reserves.
In the same spirit, she urged countries including Kenya, to say no to projects such as coal plants as they portent more harm than good.
“Such projects are unsustainable and make the climate worse. They further violate the rights women and indigenous people and must stop,” Juma said.
LAWA secretary general Khadija Shekuwe called for the integration of climate and climate control policies into development.
“Leaders and the international community must direct appropriate funding sources and structures for projects that add a significant impact to the world. This raises hope that efforts to tackle climate change are on course,”
-Edited by SKanyara
