CLIMATE CHANGE COMPOUNDING INEQUALITIES FACED BY WOMEN FARMERS

 .they rely primarily on climate-sensitive livelihoods, such as small-scale farming

Rufunsa, Zambia

As Africa and Zambia in particular grapple with the impact of climate change, women bear an unequal burden when it comes to climate change impacts.

Many women in the region rely primarily on climate-sensitive livelihoods, such as small-scale farming and manual labour. 

This makes them highly exposed to the impacts of extreme weather events such as recurring droughts and floods which damage crops and kill livestock upon which their livelihoods depend. 

The Zambia Alliance of Women (ZAW), a non-governmental organization working together with Voices for Justice Climate Action (VCA) is helping women farmers in Chief BundaBunda’s area in Rufunsa District to adopt new cultivation methods and remain profitable and productive.

Florence shares with the visiting journalists from Lusaka during a field trip in Rufunsa that planting local seeds brings many advantages for sustainable agriculture. Picture by Cynthia Nkhata

Florence Tembo Chapora, a local beneficiary of the VCA programme in Rufunsa District, shares that through her learning experience with ZAW, she has, over the years, witnessed improved soil health and increased bio-diversity by eliminating synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. 

Through agro-forestry, Florence says she has experienced higher yields in her field and experienced reduced reliance on synthetic fertilisers by integrating trees with her crops.

She said she uses manure which is called 'Bokashi' to add to the maize in her field saying her family doesn’t eat any food grown with chemicals.

“I make manure by sealing food scraps and organic waste in an airtight container, then add “bokashi bran,” and periodically drain off the liquid and I have taught even my children and grandchildren about this formular so that even if am no more they will be able to continue using it to their families," she explained.

 She said chemical fertilize causes a wide array of negative health effects to humans adding that food crops that are grown using inorganic fertilizer are known to be less nutritious, since it mainly targets the fast growth of plants rather than its nutritional value.

 Mrs. Tembo said organic foods have more beneficial nutrients and better for the environment, promote healthier and more sustainable use of natural resources.

She since urged other farmers to embrace organic farming saying organic farming maintains and improves fertility.

Mrs Tembo further commanded the ZAW for the knowledge she received on combating climate change.

 

florence chapora's organic maize field in Rufunsa

"Zambia Alliance of Women gave us knowledge on how to combat climate change because at first we didn’t know anything, I didn’t know why it will take some time for the rains to come. I leant that musanku is a good tree that grow faster to replace the trees that were cut," she said.

In order to combat climate change, Mrs Tembo through Zambia Alliance of Women, has learnt to stop cutting down trees anyhow and also replacing trees when she cuts.

And Headman Mubambe emphasized the importance of organic farming in mitigating the effects of climate change and encouraged organic farming as a sustainable agriculture practice.

He urged government to invest more in organic farming for it to be a success so that it becomes bacon to agriculture practices.

And Panos Institute Southern Africa executive Director Vusumuzi Sifile said the VCA programme is a multi-stakeholder initiative which aims at bringing together global and local voices for just climate action, connecting a diverse range of civil society organizations representing women, youth, indigenous people, urban poor, digital activists and more.

Mr. Sifile said at the centre of the project is the development and implementation of a communication, advocacy and knowledge brokering strategy to enhance inclusive access to, sharing and use of information and knowledge to foster just climate action in Zambia. 

Meanwhile Climate Change Advocate and Environmentalist Simon Mwamba said there is need for government to invest more in organic farming as this will help to combat climate change.

He observed the need to put necessary policies in place that will allow organic farming to be practiced more in the agriculture sector as a way of ensuring good food free from organic chemicals.

He said the project is also providing content development support for the local communities and mainstream media practitioners, and promote knowledge brokering towards implementation of locally led climate solutions.

Local community members supported by ZAW share their locally led initiatives through drama during a field visit for journalists in Rufunsa district. Picture credit:Cynthia Nkhata 

Zambia, like many other countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and indeed globally, is currently facing a critical situation. It must meet the growing demand for food production while also safeguarding the environment.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the world faces significant challenges and environmental concerns in its agricultural sector amid a worsening climate crisis and slow progress in cutting greenhouse gases.

The organization is on record saying sustainable agrifood systems practices can help countries and communities to adapt, build resilience and mitigate emissions, ensuring food security and nutrition for a growing global population.

Farmers in the Bunda Bunda area in Rufunsa are adopting climate-smart agricultural techniques to enhance food security and resilience amidst changing weather patterns. 

Agroecology and organic farming methods are gaining popularity, reducing reliance on chemical inputs and promoting biodiversity.