‘African women essential sustainable development partner’

Women’s Day was launched on Monday as part of the COP27 climate summit.

Arab, African and international women leaders attended the launch ceremony.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi sent a message to the women of the world in his speech delivered on his behalf by Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad.

“Women have proven to be the icon of change by achieving a historic and qualitative transformation in the face of negative impacts of climate change,” President Sisi said.

African women are essential partners in achieving sustainable development, facing the repercussions of climate change and ensuring the green transformation in the African continent, the president added.

The president affirmed that any tangible progress in climate change necessitates full integration and involvement of women in finding smart and innovative solutions to the climate repercussions.

Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala el-Saeed, Minister of International Co-operation Rania al-Mashat and Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine el-Qabbag attended the event, together with President of the National Council for Women Maya Morsi and Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Ghada Wali.

Women bear the brunt of the climate crisis, especially when it comes to accessing water and food and proper housing and transport, Fouad said.

The minister of environment also reviewed means to accelerate the achievement of gender equality and empowering girls and women regarding the challenges of climate change.

She highlighted Egypt’s vision towards achieving this and ways to bridge the gender gap in climate action.

The political leadership attaches paramount importance to developing the role of Egyptian women in social issues, Fouad added.

The minister stressed the growing role of women in political and environmental life in the African continent.

“Out of the 54 African countries, there are 20 women who hold environmental portfolio in Africa,” Fouad said.

The ‘Empowering the African Woman in Domestic Communities’ initiative was launched yesterday during the ‘Voice of Women Leaders in Climate Debates, Policies, Implementation and Beyond’ session.

On the fringes of the Women’s Day, Egypt has launched the African Women’s Climate Adaptive Priorities (AWCAP) initiative.

AWCAP aims to increase opportunities for women in the just transition to a green economy, as well as to promote gender-sensitive perspectives in adaptation and mitigation, while also promoting educational and behavioral change on women and climate change.