ACT Ethiopia Forum launched a study on gender and climate justice titled Ethiopia: Nuances of the UNFCCC(United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)Gender Action Plan at Best Western Plus hotel, Addis Ababa, March 2022. At the event, the researchers presented the study’s findings and policy recommendations for local government actors.
The study shows the intersection of gender and climate justice in Ethiopia and explores the implementation of the Gender Action Plan (GAP) by various levels of government, (I)NGOs, and ACT Alliance members in Ethiopia. The study was funded by Act Sweden and Brot für die Welt and written by PATH Consulting from Addis Ababa.
Mr Christoph Schneider, Convener of the ACT Ethiopia Forum, and regional representative of PAAD, opened the session by highlighting the connection between climate change and gender justice, as well as the necessity for additional advocacy work in this area.
Following the opening remarks, Miss. Yordanos Asnake, the chairperson of the Gender Justice Communities of Practice (CoP), presented her project, financed by Act-Alliance member SIDA, and aimed at assisting the other members and faith-based organisations in realising gender justice.
The workshop also entertained a presentation on policy recommendations for Ethiopia on the Nuances of the UNFCCC gender action plan by Mr. Eshete Demisse, which focused on the following issues:
- The lack of technical knowledge to implement gender-responsive climate change adaptation and mitigation.
- The absence of gender budgeting.
- Poor coordination and lack of coherence in structural functionalities.
- Inadequate synergy between gender and climate programmes.
The following are some of the recommendations:
- Increasing awareness of a national and international framework for the gender and climate justice programme.
- Conduct sector-specific gender analysis and design a mainstreaming strategy, guidelines, and action plan.
- Synergy between gender-responsive climate change actions.
Following the presentation, delegates discussed and reflected on the presentation issues, as well as potential solutions.
Mr. Yilikal Shiferaw, Co-Convener of the ACT Ethiopia Forum and Commissioner of the EOTC-DICAC, gives a closing note and thanked the delegates for their active involvement in the workshop.
Author: Melat Fisseha, Communication Head and Senior Gender Officer at Ethiopian Orthodox Church Development and Inter-church Aid Commission (EOTC-DICAC)
