African women hold parallel commission to UN CSW66 in Nairobi

African women have convened a parallel commission to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

The annual UN convening is currently on its 66th session (CSW66) and has been held in the city of New York as usual.

African women's rights organisations came together in Nairobi to demand participation in the crucial discussions.

Through the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMENT), the women came together to see African women’s voices are amplified.

This year’s theme is achieving gender equality and empowerment of women and girls in the context of Climate Change.

Memory Kachambwa, FEMNET’s Executive Director said that women are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and therefore, their voices must be heard.

“During such disasters, women and girls are often left homeless and are condemned to destitution and extreme poverty.”

FEMNET said that the event being held in New York at the UN General Assembly every year locks out crucial women’s voices.

In a position statement, FEMNET called on CSW66 to acknowledge that Africa is the most vulnerable continent to climate change despite contributing the least to the crisis.

Also, they asked that CSW66 be aware that women in rural areas are the most connected to food and primary agricultural production, with the most knowledge about land, water and biodiversity conservation.

“As a result, African women are the most vulnerable to climate change effects due to their dependence on the land, forest, and water resource-based livelihood activities,” they said.

CSW66 is set to be held from March 14 to 25 with the African CSW66 running concurrently, hoping to have African Women’s voices included in the climate action decision-making table.