PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
ECA expert says Africa cannot develop without knowledge of climate change issues
Accra, Ghana (PANA) - Africa cannot develop without the knowledge of climate change issues, according to a natural resources expert with the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Mr. Frank Rutabingwa.
Speaking Tuesday at a Consultative Workshop on Enhancing the Participation of Men and Women in the Use of Climate Information and Services (CIS), organised by the ECA in Accra, Ghana, Mr. Rutabingwa said "Africa cannot be developed with the ignorance of the problems of climate change."
"The transformation of the economy, a key objective of ECA, depends on priority sectors such as agriculture and this sector is highly influenced by climate change. If there are difficulties in agriculture, all Africa has problems in all other sectors.
"Governments need to see climate change as priorities and climate change issues are included in programming because it affects our growth," he pointed out.
On women's involvement in the use of climate information, the expert explained that if women do not know how to use climate information, this will have an impact on the entire population. They should be encouraged to be involved in taking positions to help implement climate change-sensitive programmes.
"Women should be involved, engaged and helped to change planning for integrating climate change into their programmes. The countries that have developed are those that have emphasized the role of women. Climate change problems cannot be managed without women. If they are involved in using climate information and services, Africa will change quickly," Mr. Rutabingwa emphasised.
Participants of the two-day workshop, which started Tuesday, will discuss the link between gender and climate change and explore ways to strengthen the role of women in the production, adoption and use of the CIS, at the policy and practice levels.
The workshop has brought together women scientists, academics, practitioners, researchers and opinion leaders from different African countries, as well as men with strong commitment and in-depth knowledge of gender and climate change issues. According to organisers, it is an opportunity to deepen understanding of the link between gender and climate change in Africa.
Participants have to identify the conditions that prevent women from being strongly involved in CIS and climate change issues, options to strengthen their involvement and explore ways to strengthen the environment conducive to strengthening their role in CIS.
The workshop is expecteed to come up with recommendations for strengthening the environment and improving women's participation in the CIS and a catalogue of best practices and innovative ways of empowering women in Africa.
-0- PANA IT/IS/MTA/AR 11Dec2018
Speaking Tuesday at a Consultative Workshop on Enhancing the Participation of Men and Women in the Use of Climate Information and Services (CIS), organised by the ECA in Accra, Ghana, Mr. Rutabingwa said "Africa cannot be developed with the ignorance of the problems of climate change."
"The transformation of the economy, a key objective of ECA, depends on priority sectors such as agriculture and this sector is highly influenced by climate change. If there are difficulties in agriculture, all Africa has problems in all other sectors.
"Governments need to see climate change as priorities and climate change issues are included in programming because it affects our growth," he pointed out.
On women's involvement in the use of climate information, the expert explained that if women do not know how to use climate information, this will have an impact on the entire population. They should be encouraged to be involved in taking positions to help implement climate change-sensitive programmes.
"Women should be involved, engaged and helped to change planning for integrating climate change into their programmes. The countries that have developed are those that have emphasized the role of women. Climate change problems cannot be managed without women. If they are involved in using climate information and services, Africa will change quickly," Mr. Rutabingwa emphasised.
Participants of the two-day workshop, which started Tuesday, will discuss the link between gender and climate change and explore ways to strengthen the role of women in the production, adoption and use of the CIS, at the policy and practice levels.
The workshop has brought together women scientists, academics, practitioners, researchers and opinion leaders from different African countries, as well as men with strong commitment and in-depth knowledge of gender and climate change issues. According to organisers, it is an opportunity to deepen understanding of the link between gender and climate change in Africa.
Participants have to identify the conditions that prevent women from being strongly involved in CIS and climate change issues, options to strengthen their involvement and explore ways to strengthen the environment conducive to strengthening their role in CIS.
The workshop is expecteed to come up with recommendations for strengthening the environment and improving women's participation in the CIS and a catalogue of best practices and innovative ways of empowering women in Africa.
-0- PANA IT/IS/MTA/AR 11Dec2018
