There is a need to raise awareness on gender–land–climate nexus to strengthen the role of women parliamentarians and duty bearers in gender-responsive land and climate policy-making.

The dialogue is being moved by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), through its Land Governance Unit, which is hosting regional discussions with Women Parliamentarians and Duty Bearers on Gender, Land and Climate Resilience.

Speaking during the meeting, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Gladys J. Boss, said that this meeting came at a time when the region faces both immense challenges and unprecedented opportunities. 

“I wish to focus our attention on the link between our collective resilience and sustainable development; the intersection of gender, land rights, and climate resilience.

Land is a vital defence against climate change, a source of livelihoods, identity and security. Yet, as we all know, land degradation and insecure tenure are not just environmental or economic issues; they are drivers of conflict, forced migration, and deepening inequalities”, said Gladys.

She alluded that across the IGAD region, women and girls bear a disproportionate burden of these challenges, forcing women and girls to walk longer distances for water and firewood, exposing them to security risks, reducing their opportunities for education and economic advancement.

“Despite their central role in agriculture, food security, and natural resource management, women remain marginalised in land ownership and decision-making”, noted Gladys.

On his part, Mohamed Abdi Ware, IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary, lauded women who hold solutions to our climate crisis in their weathered hands, yet are excluded from the rooms where decisions about their future are made.

“Women produce 70% of Africa's food but own less than 20% of our land. In our IGAD region, while 70 to 90% of all wealth flows from land, less than 10% belongs to women. This isn't just unfair; it's economically devastating,” added Ware.

He added that women bear the heaviest burden when climate shocks hit. “They walk further for water. They watch their daughters leave school to help struggling families. Yet research proves that if we gave women equal access to land and resources, they could increase farm yields by 20-30% and reduce global hunger by up to 17%”, noted Ware.

Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development pledged unwavering commitment to addressing the systemic inequalities that prevent women from realising their land rights, under the broader efforts to achieve gender equality, social justice, and sustainable development