Reported by: S. Ernest
Date: 20th February, 2025.
Lusaka, Zambia.
Vice President of Zambia, Her Honour Mutale Nalumango, has officially launched the Women Leaders for Climate Action (WLCA) Five-Year Strategic Plan (2025-2030), a transformative initiative aimed at positioning women as key drivers of climate resilience and sustainable development in Zambia.
As Patron of WLCA, Vice President Nalumango highlighted the critical role that women play in addressing climate challenges. She described the strategic plan as a deliberate and well-structured roadmap designed to empower women leaders, mobilize resources, and strengthen climate resilience at both community and national levels.
“This strategic plan is more than just a document; it is a call to action. It recognizes women as powerful agents of change and aligns with global sustainability goals, particularly SDG 13 on Climate Action and SDG 5 on Gender Equality,” she stated.
In her speech, the Vice President outlined the disproportionate effects of climate change on women, emphasizing that urgent interventions are needed in key areas:
Climate Vulnerability – Women, who make up 45–80% of Zambia’s agricultural workforce, are among the hardest hit by droughts and floods.
Economic Strain – Climate change could cost low-income countries like Zambia $400 billion annually by 2030, exacerbating financial hardships for women, who are primary caregivers and economic contributors.
Food Security Risks – Women in agriculture face devastating losses from extreme weather, driving food insecurity and malnutrition.
Increased Gender-Based Violence (GBV) – Resource scarcity has heightened women’s vulnerability to GBV, particularly during long-distance searches for food and water.
Educational Disruptions – Girls are disproportionately affected by school dropouts due to climate-induced poverty and displacement.
Health Risks – Limited access to clean water and nutritious food puts women’s reproductive and general health at serious risk.
“The climate crisis is not just an environmental emergency—it is a gendered crisis that threatens the well-being of women and girls. Our response must be bold, inclusive, and action-driven,” Nalumango emphasized.
WLCA has already made significant strides in fostering women-led climate solutions, including:
Forest Restoration & Community Support – Projects such as ABSA’s reforestation efforts in Mumbwa and Zanaco’s one-million-tree planting initiative at the source of the Zambezi.
Policy & Investment Advocacy – Facilitating SME engagement, policy dialogues, and innovative energy solutions through partners like GreenCo and the MTN Youth & Climate Innovation Challenge.
Financial Inclusion – Conducting capacity-building workshops to support the issuance of green and gender bonds in Zambia.
Looking ahead, WLCA has set ambitious financial targets to accelerate women-led climate initiatives:
$1 million annually for community-based resilience projects in water, energy, and food security.
$500,000 annually for leadership development programs for women in climate governance and sustainability.
$2 million annually to mobilize green, gender, and carbon finance mechanisms that prioritize women-led SMEs.
Vice President Nalumango reaffirmed the government’s commitment to placing women at the center of climate solutions.
“Women are not just victims of climate change; they are architects of sustainable solutions. It is essential that they are included in high-level decision-making processes to shape a resilient Zambia,” she declared.
As she officially launched the strategic plan, she called on government agencies, private sector players, civil society organizations, and development partners to actively support WLCA’s mission.
“This launch is not just an event—it marks the beginning of a movement. Together, we will drive meaningful and lasting change, ensuring that women lead the way in climate action.”
The event brought together a diverse group of women leaders, policymakers, and climate experts, all united in a shared vision of a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable Zambia.
With the WLCA Strategic Plan now in motion, Zambia takes a bold step toward gender-responsive climate resilience, reinforcing the vital role of women in shaping the nation’s environmental and economic future.
The Agency.
