Africa’s green transition efforts must prioritize gender equality to ensure women benefit equally from climate change mitigation and adaptation policies, addressing existing inequalities and promoting inclusive sustainable development.
Author
Hebattallah Adam, Professor, Jindal School of International Affairs, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.
Summary
The concept of just transition, officially recognised in the Paris Agreement at COP21, has become important in recent years. Just transition is about establishing a green and equal future while considering the needs and aspirations of people and communities most vulnerable to climate change’s impacts. The transition to a green economy holds significant promise for developing countries.
As per the report by the (Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, 2018), a low-carbon economy may generate US$26 trillion in GDP and 65 million jobs by 2030. The gendered nature of climate change implies that women are likely to experience unequal benefits from the green transition. According to ILO (2019), the African agriculture and extractive sectors employ 70% of the workers informally; 90% of informal workers in these sectors are women and youth. Hence, the implementation of green transition policies without consideration of gender inequalities may potentially exacerbate such inequalities.
Using a thorough examination of pertinent literature, secondary data analysis, and index evaluation, our study delves into the status of gender inequality and green transition endeavours in Africa. The research results into the relationship between gender inequality and green growth in Africa demonstrate that the region’s performance is subpar compared to the worldwide mean across all indices analysed in the study.
Most African nations have incorporated gender considerations into their initial and revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), albeit with varying degrees of gender integration. Recognising the disparate effects of climate change on women and their crucial role in meeting climate responsibilities constitutes a significant step forward. The lack of gender-segregated data, insufficient involvement of relevant women and civil society organisations, and insufficient prioritisation of women’s empowerment initiatives are significant obstacles to the incorporation of gender in climate change policies in Africa. African nations must commit to a gender-responsive and equitable transition whereby both genders reap equal benefits from implementing green growth policies.
Published in: Polycrisis and Economic Development in the Global South
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