Nairobi: The Center for Inclusive Climate Change Adaptation for a Sustainable Africa (ICCASA) has launched its gender-transformative strategic plan for 2025-2030, an initiative aimed at fostering an inclusive, gender-responsive, and climate-resilient Africa. Speaking at the launch event, ICCASA’s Communication and Advocacy Manager, Faith Gikunda, emphasized the plan’s role as a transformative roadmap for the next five years, aligning with ICCASA’s dedication to bridging gender disparities and promoting social inclusion in climate change adaptation.
According to Kenya News Agency, Gikunda highlighted that the strategic plan focuses on gender-transformative climate policies, capacity-building initiatives, and inclusive strategies aimed at building resilience. This approach acknowledges the varied impacts of climate change on different communities, emphasizing the importance of reaching out to those most affected. “We believe that women, youth, persons living with disabilities, rural agrarian-based populations, among other marginalized groups, are key actors in the transformation needed for a climate-resilient and equitable Africa,” she stated.
Gikunda also pointed out the urgent need for gender-transformative and inclusive climate solutions, given the severe challenges posed by climate change, particularly in Africa. She stressed the importance of empowering every community and ensuring marginalized groups, including women and youth, are not left behind in climate action initiatives. The strategic plan serves as both a roadmap for ICCASA and a call to action for stakeholders dedicated to promoting gender equality, inclusivity, and climate resilience.
The strategic plan, funded by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) with a budget of USD 2,773,166, aims to strengthen institutional capacities for equitable climate governance. It also seeks to expand economic opportunities for marginalized groups, promote gender mainstreaming in climate actions, and reduce gender inequalities through legal frameworks.
Director Jackline Makokha from the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action under Kenya’s Ministry of Gender commended ICCASA’s efforts. She noted that gender-transformative approaches in climate policies significantly contribute to Kenya’s leadership in inclusive climate resilience and policy development. Makokha emphasized the need for gender-responsive climate policies, given the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and marginalized communities.
The strategic plan calls for collaboration among stakeholders, including government entities, civil society, development agencies, the private sector, and communities, to implement policies that prioritize gender equality and climate justice. By integrating gender considerations into climate decision-making, the plan aims to ensure that the voices of vulnerable groups, such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities, are heard and represented in climate action efforts.