UoN-AICS Host Forum on women's empowerment and Resilience Amid Climate Change
The forum organized by the University of Nairobi, in collaboration with the Italian Embassy in Kenya, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, and The Institute of Italian Culture, sought to delve deep into the crucial discourse surrounding 'Women’s Leadership in Climate Action: Strategies and Transformative Solutions.'
The event also marked the official launch of the "Activate Nairobi" campaign, aligning with the global 16 Days of Activism, and was attended by H.E. Ann Wang’ombe, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Gender, Culture, The Arts, and Heritage; H.E. Roberto Natali, Ambassador of Italy to Kenya; Dr. Vijjo Rattansi, Chancellor, UoN; Prof. Julius Ogeng’o, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs; and several ambassadors.
The "Activate Nairobi!" campaign, running from November 25th to December 10th, is dedicated to fostering opportunities that empower and magnify the voices of women. The initiative represents a transformative path toward constructing a society that values and practices equality, justice, and respect for all individuals.
Representing Prof. Stephen Kiama, Vice-Chancellor of UoN, Prof. Julius Ogeng’o emphasized the university's commitment to gender equality, citing policies such as the Workplace Policy on Gender-Based Violence and the Gender Policy and Development Framework. "Women empowerment is not just a goal but a necessity," he declared.
On her part, the Chancellor, Dr. Vijoo Rattansi, underscored the importance of such forums in addressing issues relating to gender-based violence (GBV) and women's disempowerment. Dr. Rattansi furthermore highlighted the far-reaching impact of climate change, asserting that women are not passive victims but powerful agents of change, resilience, and innovation. “Their deep-rooted connection to the environment and their knowledge of sustainable practices make them indispensable in implementing climate adaptation strategies at the grassroots level” she echoed.
His Excellency, Roberto Natali, rallied a call for global collectivism in eradicating GBV. "This global phenomenon can only be combated through global collectivism and activation," he emphasized.
In a compelling virtual address, H.E. Ann Wang’ombe emphasized the indispensable role of women not only in climate mitigation but across all aspects of societal action.
The event climaxed into an engaging panel discussion featuring a distinguished lineup of experts and influencers drawn from various fields, including academia, environmental activism, and research. Among the esteemed panelists were Ms. Charlene Ruto, a dedicated Youth Champion; Ms. Elizabeth Wathuti, the visionary Founder of Green Generation Initiative and a notable speaker at COP; Ms. Francesca Di Matteo, Deputy Director, and Researcher at the French Institute for Research in Africa; and Dr. Mary Lucia Mbithi, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics and Development Studies at the University of Nairobi.
The insightful and multifaceted discussions, shed light on the formidable obstacles that women encounter in the realm of climate action. Moreover, the discourse advocated for inclusive decision-making processes and urgently called for investments in women's education and technology access to bridge gender gaps in climate action.
Watch the live stream of the event https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjKwYGJMpeU
