Why Nigeria must prioritise climate change awareness for women

Inequity and marginalisation related to gender are increasing vulnerability to climate change effects. 

Climate change, a prevailing issue and threat to the global ecosystem, has been found to affect women more. According to UN Women, economic, social, and cultural factors contribute to climate change’s threat to women’s health, livelihoods, and safety.

Agriculture is one of the livelihood sectors sensitive to climate change’s impacts. Heat and humidity affect the health and productivity of animals farmed for meat, milk, and eggs. Climate change also impacts soil and water resources and poses health concerns to agricultural livestock.

Nigeria’s 2023 budget has no programme to raise awareness of climate change among women and girls. Yet the reality of climate change is dire now more than ever before.

READ ALSO: Kogi’s 3.8% erosion control budget performance makes fighting floods difficult

In agriculture in Nigeria, statistics show that women comprise between 70 and 80 percent of the workforce. They produce most of the food in the nation for domestic consumption and provide the much-needed food processing, marketing, and preservation services. 

Rising temperatures, heavy rainfall, intense storms, and extended droughts are all direct impacts of climate change that farmers worldwide are already experiencing. Many crops suffer as a result of these severe weather conditions. This impacts the farmers and the food they produce, which, in turn, hurts the security of the global food supply.

Analysts say because women make up the majority of farmers in Nigeria, they are more impacted by climate change effects on agriculture.

Research suggests a link between severe heat and poor delivery outcomes. During the warm season (May-September), a one-degree celsius rise in temperature the week before delivery is linked to a six percent increase in risk, equivalent to four more stillbirths for every 10,000 live births.

Changes in heat wave exposure also increase the incidence of vector-borne illnesses such as malaria and Zika virus, which in pregnant women causes severe birth defects. 

Women are less likely than men to survive climatic disasters, and according to data from the UN, 80 percent of individuals forced to leave their homes due to climate change are female. Additionally, most of these IDP camps, which serve as the homes of these displaced women, are frequently ill-equipped to assist them. 

A Dataphyte report highlighted some of the experiences of women living in IDP camps exposed to various infectious ailments due to the camps’ poor sanitation. 

According to a BBC investigation, increased violence against women, such as rape and sexual assault, has also been observed after disasters. 

Founder and CEO of The Zoba Advisory and Climate Technology Solutions, Ms Chizoba Nzeakor, said women were being impacted by climate change more. She said Nigeria must prioritise climate change awareness programmes for women, noting that women were not just wives but also educators playing a crucial role in shaping the minds of their children. 

“Children tend to be closer to their mothers and are more receptive to their teachings, including language and hygiene practices. By empowering women with climate change education, we can be sure they will pass this knowledge to their children,” she said.

“Awareness is undoubtedly a critical first step in addressing climate change. However, it should not be the only step. We must put our advocacy into action to achieve meaningful results. A case study for awareness is Uganda’s implementation of climate change education in its curriculum, which is a step in the right direction. However, it is equally important to take action to implement this knowledge.”

She added that while prioritising women was crucial, everyone was an important stakeholder in the climate change movement and must work together to create a sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.

The UN suggests that planning and funding for development must consider women’s priorities and needs to subdue the impact of climate change on women. Investing in adaptation, mitigation, technology transfer, and capacity-building programmes must also consider gender equality, it added.

This report was produced in fulfilment of the UNESCO & CIJ London Climate Change in News Media project facilitated by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development.