The Hon. Feta Geofrey, the Ayivu East Member of Parliament in Arua City, advocated for green justice in Africa, emphasizing that women and girls make a minimal contribution to climate change. He stressed that climate change and SRHR issues must be addressed collectively.
“Women and girls bear the brunt of the devastating effects of climate change, and yet they contribute minimally to it.” Said Feta.
Ms. Mercy Ocotoko, a gender and human rights advocate, highlighted the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing SRHR services amid climate change.
“People with disabilities face triple marginalization in accessing SRHR services coupled with climate-induced hardships, limited mobility, societal stigma, and scarcity of essential resources restricting their participation in household and economic activities.” Ocotoko said.
Ms. Lenia Charity Kevin, an alumna of Feminature Uganda’s Camp Kennedy program, emphasized the harsh realities faced by women and girls in rural communities, urging stakeholders to not only engage in discussions but also to take action beyond the symposium.
“SRHR challenges are a reality in the rural communities; women and girls go through a lot due to a lack of access to information and services. We need to take action upon these discussions.” Lenia said.
The Prime Minister of the Lugbara Kari Cultural Institution, Rt. Hon. Ismael Tuku echoed the need to integrate culture and tradition into the formulation of sustainable and collective SRHR agendas for women and girls.
“We need to recognize the significant role cultural institutions play in shaping societal attitudes toward SRHR. We need collaborative efforts from all sectors of society to integrate culture and tradition into the formulation of a sustainable SRHR agenda.”
Mr. Robert Turyakira, Executive Director of the African Green Network, emphasized the crucial role of climate action in advancing SRHR for women and girls.
“Let’s strengthen community capacities, particularly through initiatives like tree planting, which not only promotes environmental conservation but also provides economic benefits that can be reinvested into SRHR services.” Turyakira said
According to the Executive Director of Feminature Uganda, Ms. Annet Lekuru, the symposium will serve as a roadmap for action with collective effort from all the stakeholders to create an environment where women and girls can thrive despite the growing challenges posed by climate change.
She also highlighted the importance of engaging young women and amplifying their voices, acknowledging that while their presence was limited at the symposium, upcoming post-symposium activities would be dedicated to including them.
During the symposium, stakeholders resolved to form a regional advocacy coalition to coordinate SRHR and climate resilience efforts and capacity-building initiatives to enhance community awareness and advocate for increased gender-responsive climate financing in the region. Some adaptation measures, such as promoting tree planting and urban farming, strengthening SRHR service delivery infrastructure, and empowering peer educators and media platforms to improve information dissemination, were also implemented.
Several measures and action points were drafted during this symposium as partners reaffirmed their commitment to integrating SRHR and climate.
