Empowering African Women: Essential Green Skills for Leading the Fight Against Climate Change

Women are a crucial yet often overlooked resource in Africa. Historically, they have faced various challenges. Limited access to land, finance, education, and decision-making roles has kept them from fully participating in the green economy.

A green economy promotes well-being and social equality while lowering environmental risks. This economic model encourages efficient resource use to yield more benefits.

As the world shifts toward renewable energy and adapts to climate change, new job sectors are emerging. By acquiring green skills, women could potentially triple their productivity in the green economy, especially in areas like agriculture, energy, and manufacturing.

For instance, farmers can learn climate-smart agriculture, including techniques like drip irrigation and growing drought-resistant crops. Technicians can also be trained to install solar panels. These are effective examples of reskilling that align with the new green jobs available.

Global initiatives, such as the Green Jobs for Youth Pact, often focus on formal employment for young people. However, in Africa, women are not just the most affected by climate change but are also key to finding solutions. From agriculture to household energy use, they play essential roles in adapting to climate challenges.

Many African women already practice traditional methods that promote environmental sustainability. They are also more likely to adopt green practices that benefit their communities. However, to tackle evolving climate challenges effectively, they need access to modern skills that incorporate technology. This balance preserves local wisdom while introducing new techniques.

Experts agree that equipping women with green skills is vital. For example, the United Nations emphasizes that gender equity in climate strategies is essential. If women gain these skills, the entire community becomes more resilient to climate change, contributing to faster adaptation and inclusive economic growth.

Essential Green Skills for Women

To thrive in the green economy, African women need two main categories of skills:

• Green and Gender-Inclusive Skills:
  • Natural asset management skills for conserving forests, water, and soil.
  • Low-carbon industry skills for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Climate-resilient skills to help communities adjust to climate change.
  • Resource-efficient skills to use natural resources wisely and minimize waste.
• Green Digital Skills:
  • Digital marketing for eco-friendly products.
  • Data analytics to monitor environmental changes.
  • Agri-tech skills for using digital tools in farming.
  • Digital communication skills for raising awareness on environmental issues.

To expand access to these skills, African countries need to invest in technical programs focused on green education. Informal learning paths, especially for women in rural areas, must also be included.

Crucial changes include:

• Gender-responsive policies to ensure women are included in climate strategies. Many countries have made commitments, but funding and implementation are often lacking.
• Investments in green education should be more inclusive, highlighting local languages and community-based learning.

As African women develop green skills, the overall resilience of their communities increases. This approach is more than just training; it’s about transforming lives and economies. Including men in the journey toward gender equality can change societal norms, benefitting entire communities.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent news organization providing trustworthy analysis. It was written by: Ogechi Adeola, Innocent Ngare, and Olaniyi Evans.

Learn More:

Our book, ‘Gender Equality, Climate Action, and Technological Innovation for Sustainable Development in Africa’ is available as an open-access resource with support from the LYRASIS United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Fund. Read it here.

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