Revolutionizing Climate Action: Researcher Unveils Gender-Responsive Tool to Tackle Climate Change – Discover the Latest in Renewable Energy & Environmental News

A researcher from the University of Port Harcourt, Dr. Chinwoke Ifeanyi-Obi, has created an innovative tool called the Gender-Responsive Smart Monitor (G-SMART). This tool aims to track how well agricultural adaptation initiatives include gender considerations.

Dr. Ifeanyi-Obi, who heads the Department of Agriculture Extension and Development Service, explained that the G-SMART tool helps turn policy intentions into measurable actions. During a validation meeting in Abuja, she described the goals of this framework: to provide real-time assessments of gender responsiveness in climate change policies and to evaluate those policies from the beneficiaries’ viewpoint.

This initiative is part of her Policy Innovation Project under the Gender Responsive Agriculture Systems Policy (GRASP) Fellowship. GRASP targets mid-career African women in policy, helping them create and implement gender-sensitive agricultural policies. Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), this initiative is vital for addressing gender gaps in agriculture across Africa.

Dr. Ifeanyi-Obi highlights that Nigeria is particularly vulnerable to climate change, which threatens food security and rural livelihoods. Projections suggest that climate change could lead to a 30% drop in crop yields and significantly hamper Nigeria’s economy by reducing its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Women and girls often bear the brunt of these climate challenges. In Nigeria, they make up about 60% to 79% of the agricultural workforce, yet men are five times more likely to own land. Despite government efforts to enact policies aiming at gender equity in climate adaptation, gaps still exist. Many policies lack specific actions to address these inequalities, showing a clear need for the G-SMART tool.

The G-SMART framework categorizes its indicators into two main areas: gender responsiveness in climate change adaptation and successful policy implementation. The first section focuses on areas crucial for gender equality in agricultural adaptation, such as:

• Involvement in decision-making
• Access to improved farm inputs and climate-resilient crops
• Availability of climate information and services
• Ownership of agricultural assets, including land
• Access to climate finance, credit, and insurance
• Capacity building and education in climate adaptation

Dr. Ifeanyi-Obi stresses that the G-SMART tool aims not just to help governments meet their gender commitments but also to guide new policies for a more inclusive approach to agriculture in Nigeria.

As discussions about gender in agriculture gain traction worldwide, it’s essential to remember that evidence-based tools like G-SMART can significantly advance gender equity. This is especially true in regions where climate change impacts are severe.

For more insights on gender and climate issues, you might refer to the FAO’s Gender and Land Rights database, which offers a wealth of information on agricultural gender equity initiatives.

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