The women of Niger Delta States have cautioned the federal government and the multi-national Oil Companies on the consequences of climate change on their means of livelihood.
The over 600 women took the stand at the 2019 Women Day of Action for Environmental justice held in Uyo, in Akwa Ibom State capital, over the weekend.
In her opening remarks, the Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, Emem Okon, explained that in 2016, her organization with other allies initiated the Niger Delta Women’s Day of Action for Environmental Justice as a platform for women in rural and urban communities impacted by oil exploitation and exploration activities in the Niger Delta to reflect on their experiences, and most importantly, their challenges as the dangers of fossil fuel and their activities, leading to climate change, food insecurity and violence in the region.
She stated that due to constant oil spills, without prompt and adequate remediation, gas flares and failure of government to consider the plights of women in the Niger Delta, it became imperative for women in the region to come together and articulate their challenges and present to the world especially as it affected their environment and their livelihood going into extinction.
The Executive Director maintained that 17th December was chosen after a careful debate and adoption by the women, noting the significance of the date to the building of eco-feminist movement in the Niger Delta, saying due to the extraction of fossil fuel, the women suffered from pollution, poverty, diseases and death and called on government to redress and respond to the implementation of climate change mitigation and adaptation policies. This year’s theme was tagged “Building Women Resilience for Climate Action”.
Presenting the Keynote Address, Dr. Gladys Worlu, represented by Prof. Roibito Ekanem, enumerated the risks affecting women in the Niger Delta region while tasking women to fight against environmental injustice. In their goodwill messages, Dr. Chuks of the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Delta State, Dr. Nnimo Bassay of HOMEF, Mrs. Asuoqu of the Climate Change Unit, WACAM from Ghana and John Buakin of WEP, all commended Kebetkache for the initiative.
There were presentations and technical session on climate change in the Niger Delta, Eco Feminism, Women and livelihood, Ogoni Clean Up, Women and Renewable Energy, Gender and Accountability, Climate Change and Health. Keypoint in the communiqué was the planting of more trees and the building of specialist hospitals in the region from the gas flares penalties.
