Excellency Sahlework Zewdie, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,
Excellency Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, African Union Commission Chairperson,
Honorable African ministers and experts responsible for Women, Gender and Social Affairs,
Esteemed high level representatives from the United Nations and the African Union,
Representatives from Civil Society Organizations and partners,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is my honor and pleasure to welcome you to the Pre-CSW 66 Ministerial Consultative Meeting. For my brothers and sisters who are able to join us here today, welcome to Addis Ababa, your second home. We are delighted to extend our hospitality once again following the successful 35th AU Assembly of Heads of States and Governments held a few weeks back. For our colleagues and partners, who are joining virtually, good morning, good afternoon, good evening according to your respective time zones. Although hybrid events have become the new normal in the context of COVID-19, I am optimistic that we will be able to have our regular vibrant and colorful gatherings soon.
On this occasion, it will be remiss to disregard mentioning the fact that the past few years have been difficult, for the world and for our continent. The human, economic and social costs of the COVID-19 pandemic were heavy. Although Africa recorded lower infection rate and fatalities, we still lost more than 200 thousands lives. Particularly, countries with economies that are tourism and trade intensive, suffered severe economic consequences. The brunt of the pandemic’s toll was felt by women and girls as a result of increased burden of care, disruption of economic activities especially for those in the informal sector and rising cases of violence.
Political instability and conflict have also been a highlight of the continent in the last couple of years. There were coups, civil conflict and political violence in many countries including Ethiopia. Women and girls are again the most vulnerable during times of conflict suffering from Gender Based Violence and displacement.
On the brighter side, there is reason for optimism as well. The solidarity between African countries is increasing, as is the demand for more international recognition and a place at the negotiation table including the call for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. It is a cause of great pride that Ethiopia has been pioneering these initiatives of solidarity. Africa has also shown its resilience during the pandemic through strengthening its health care systems and critical infrastructures. A week ago, Africa’s biggest hydroelectric project, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam began generating electricity. This heralds a new frontier for Ethiopians as well as Africans. The dam’s significance is even stronger for women and girls. It will be a beacon of light allowing access for time and energy saving technologies and reducing their burden of domestic responsibilities.
The GERD will also contribute towards implementing Ethiopia’s climate resilient green economy, relying less on fossil fuels and more on renewable energy sources. This becomes even more relevant given the fact that this year’s priority theme for the 66th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is “Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes”
In addition to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and political instability, achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women is challenged by the ever-increasing climate change and environmental crises. Recurrent natural disasters continue to threaten the full realization of human rights, especially the rights to life and dignity, development, a life free from violence and discrimination, an adequate standard of living and others.
These crises disproportionately affect women and girls, especially those in vulnerable and marginalized situations, and further worsen threats to peace and security, leading to loss of livelihoods, depletion of natural resources, and fuelling migration and displacement.
Climate change and environmental disaster has continued to affect sectors critical for women and girls such as water, energy, and agriculture. The agriculture sector in Africa involves much of labour force where women contribute significant share. In Ethiopia for example, 47 percent of the rural labor force are women among which 70% is in agriculture.
Shrinking water resources as a result increased desertification and waters stress has added the hustle of women and girls to the existing burden of care to a household and communities. Much of the rural energy sources being biomass, and the failure to restore forest resources and expand alternative energy sources has amplified the drudgery of women’s household responsibilities.
Addressing climate change and environmental risks and ensuring gender equality will be the two key factors for achieving the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Approaching climate change and environmental risks in a gender sensitive manner is imperative. In recognition of women’s traditional role in managing natural resources at family and community levels, achieving their full and effective participation and decision-making in all interventions on climate, disaster and environmental risks is essential.
To this end, Ethiopia continues to strengthen gender equality and social inclusion in the national development plans to support communities, particularly women and girls in building resilience to a wide range of shocks and crises, including conflict, climate change, disasters, and epidemics. Our 10 years development plan has gender and social inclusion as one of the key strategic pillars.
Ethiopia’s Climate-Resilient Green Economy Strategy and National Adaptation Plan provide a framework for reducing vulnerability to the impacts of climate change by building adaptive capacity and resilience. Gender is a key consideration of both the strategy and adaptation plan. Sector specific adaptation plans have also be been prepared for important sectors including agriculture and forest and water and energy. Today as we deliberate and define Africa’s common position on the priority theme and the key messages, I want us to be keep in mind the fact the issues we reflect on have an enormous impact on the future of our continent; the future we want to leave behind for our daughters. As African women who represent the continent who contributes less but is affected more by climate change and environmental disasters and risks, we need to present a united voice that our issues need to be integrated into global policies and strategies; that our views need to be reflected in agendas and our voices heard in all forums.
In closing, I want to express my gratitude to the organizers of this event, the African Union Commission, UN Women and their partners for their hard work and dedication and wish that we will have a productive and engaging discussion. Thank you!
