League of Queens International Empowerment Archives

As parts of efforts to curb the adverse effects of climate change on the lives women, a Non-governmental Organisation, the League of Queens International Empowerment has embarked on a Gender and Climate change project aimed at providing women with a platform to amplify their voices.

Speaking at a press conference in Akwa Ibom, Friday, the Project Officer Idorenyin Bassey, stated that the project which aims to mobilize young women to advocate for a gender inclusive climate solutions in the Niger Delta and to amplify their voices and leadership for climate actions has trained 30 young women on climate change manifestations.

The Programme Officer further explained that the organisation had commenced planting of trees in primary schools in Akwa Ibom state, adding that the target “is to plant 2000 economic trees within the next 12 months.”

She, thus, called for partnership with government, private sector, individuals and civil society organizations.

Madam Regina Asanga, a member of Board of Trustees of the Organisation, noted that the project was very timely as it has provided an opportunity for young women to project their voices on the issue of climate change.

Asana, who blamed the effects of climate change on human activities further stated that “climate change is a global phenomenon and it has affected women the most”.

“Apart from the women serving as home managers, they (women) also bear the burden of climate change most, compared to the men counterparts.

“Apart from the livelihood and ecological effects of oil and gas extraction, women also suffer health challenges, the poisonous effect of gas flaring which has been routine in communities such as Ibeno for the past 62 years on account of the activities of ExxonMobil.

“This has contributed to increase rate of irregular menstruation among young women and early menopause. Implying that there are fertility complications for women as well.”

The project which began in September 2022 is being implemented with the support of Urgent Action Fund Africa and has held advocacy meetings with government stakeholders drawn from Ministry of Environment (Climate Change unit), Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Women Affairs.

A Non-Governmental Organisation, League of Queens International Empowerment, has called on the government of Akwa Ibom State to develop an action plan towards mitigating climate change impacts.

The group made the call during an advocacy meeting held with relevant government stakeholders on climate change impacts such as flooding, rising sea level, Greenhouse Gas emissions, etc in the state.

The meeting comprising of 30 young women, four officials from the state Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Womens Affairs were present at the meeting, held over the weekend in Uyo.

In a statement issued by the NGO’s Programme Coordinator, Idongesit Alexander, the aim of the meeting was to know the plans of the ministry on the issue of climate change in the states.

During the meeting, the women group, while presenting an advocacy statement described climate change as a global issue that would continue to stress the community ecosystem, already described as very fragile.

“Climate change affects farming resulting in low crop yields. Climate change affects food production. We all know that our land has been badly affected by oil and gas activities which has caused pollution and destruction of livelihoods.

“Flooding has become an annual occurrence. When floods happen its affect people in all aspects of their lives. Thus, climate change deepen poverty for women and makes survival very challenging,” the statement reads.

Speaking on the gender impact of climate change, the group stated that womens’ domestic roles often make them disproportionate users’ of natural resource such as water, fire wood and other forest product. Climate change, the group added, has negative impacts on the environment and aquatic life, and when carbon emission increase, the ocean water gets hotter which results in a release of solid methane deposits on the sea floors.

“We also plead for our government stakeholders to increase sensitization among citizenry and also train the youth at the secondary level, to inculcate the habit of protecting the environment.

“Government and private agencies should carry out effective sensitization on proper waste disposal while the citizens should dispose their refuse appropriately. Encourage planting of economic trees to restore the ecosystem and the mangrove,” the statement added.

Other areas climate change has affected human survival includes the destruction of livestock, poor farm harvest, food insecurity and severe heat due to deforestation and bush burning.

However, in her remarks, Alexander emphasised on the need to empower young women and girls on leadership, socio-economic and environmental rights.

She listed thematic areas of the group to include: gender base violence, climate change issues, and womens human right.

“The organisation is currently campaigning against the impact of gas flare on women and girls; the need to build livelihood opportunity for young women and girls in the Niger Delta.”

The dignitaries at the event include: Ini umoh, a Director from the ministry of environment, Dr Atim Okoko, Director for fishery, ministry of agriculture and Itoro Benson from the ministry of women affairs and social welfare.

The event was organized by league of Queens International Empowerment with support from Urgent Action Fund

League of Queens International Empowerment

Climate Change: NGO Embarks on Project to amplify Women’s Voice

Flooding: Group tasks Akwa Ibom Govt on Climate actions