As we mark International Women’s Day, we are reminded of the profound role women play in shaping our world, including their leadership in addressing climate change. Women are not just on the frontline of its impacts. They are forerunners of resilience, innovation, and sustainable solutions. Yet, too often, their contributions go unrecognised and their efforts remain underfunded. Under this year’s theme, For ALL Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment, we must reaffirm our collective responsibility to place women at the heart of climate action.
Climate change disproportionately affects women and girls in West Africa, threatening food security, health, and economic stability. Despite these challenges, women are leading climate resilience efforts through innovation, community mobilization, and advocacy. To amplify their impact, investments in education, financial support, and policies are needed to empower them as climate champions.
At WASCAL, we have taken deliberate steps to bridge this gap. Recognising that women’s empowerment is fundamental to climate resilience, we have prioritised women in our scholarship and research programmes, ensuring they gain equal access to capacity-building opportunities in climate science and green energy. We believe that equipping women with scientific expertise, leadership skills, and technological knowledge promotes gender equality in climate discourse but also strengthens the collective resilience of communities across West Africa.
The impact is evident. Many of our female scholars and researchers have gone on to shape national policies, lead climate initiatives, and mentor the next generation of climate scientists. They are redefining West Africa’s energy landscape, pioneering adaptation strategies, and proving that when women lead, societies thrive. Investing in women’s education and leadership in climate action is an investment in a more sustainable and inclusive future.
However, no single institution can achieve gender equality in climate action alone. This International Women’s Day, we call upon governments, development agencies, the private sector, and civil society to increase support for women on the frontlines of climate change. We must commit to funding women-led climate initiatives, enacting policies that protect and empower women in climate-affected regions, and ensuring that gender considerations are embedded in all climate strategies.
Let us all pledge to break barriers, support women’s voices, and ensure their rights, equality, and empowerment remain central to global climate action. Only then can we build a truly just and sustainable world for all.
From Prof. Emmanuel Wendsongre Ramde
Executive Director, WASCAL