In a significant stride towards addressing the gendered dimensions of climate change, the National Gender, and Climate Change Action Plan (NGCCAP) Co-Creation Workshop took place on September 25-26, 2023. Climate change impacts are far from gender-neutral, often exacerbating existing inequalities. Globally, the vulnerabilities and resilience levels of men and women differ, influenced not only by gender but also by factors such as ethnicity, religion, class, location, ability, education, and age. Recognizing these complexities, the workshop aimed to develop a comprehensive plan to mainstream gender considerations into climate change initiatives.
Workshop Overview
- Goals and Objectives
Goal:
The overarching goal of the NGCCAP is to integrate gender considerations into climate change policies and actions, aligning with the UNFCCC Gender Action Plan and translating global goals into actionable national strategies.
Objectives:
- Understanding the Nexus: Increase awareness of the interconnection between gender and climate change.
- Mainstreaming Gender: Promote the integration of gender into climate-related policies, programs, and strategies across sectors.
- Enhancing Participation: Increase the involvement of vulnerable groups, particularly women, youth, and persons with disabilities, in national and international climate change dialogues.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish a gender-responsive monitoring and evaluation system for collecting and disseminating sex and gender-disaggregated data on climate change issues.
- Budgeting for Gender: Promote gender-responsive budgeting in climate finance.
- Coordinated Implementation: Facilitate a coordinated approach to the implementation of gender and climate change initiatives by various stakeholders.
Co-Creation Workshop Objectives
- Stakeholder Engagement: Ensure active participation of diverse stakeholders, both governmental and non-governmental, to collaboratively address gender-related climate challenges.
- Goal Setting and Strategy Development: Define clear goals and create strategies that integrate gender considerations into Kenya’s climate actions, aligning with national development plans.
- Capacity Building and Monitoring: Identify capacity gaps, plan for resource mobilization, and establish a monitoring framework to track progress in implementing gender-responsive climate actions, promoting inclusivity and ownership throughout the process.
Workshop Proceedings
Group Notes and Discussions
The workshop began with in-depth discussions on gender roles and responsibilities concerning climate change vulnerability and adaptation. Analyses were conducted on how distinct gender roles, access to resources, and decision-making power contribute to varying levels of vulnerability. The participants explored strategic approaches to address negative adaptive capacities in education, health, nutrition, and economic opportunities, considering socio-cultural, policy, and legal environments.
Development of NGCCAP
The NGCCAP aims to bridge the gap in the implementation of gender priorities in climate change actions. Kenya recognizes the importance of a coordinated framework to holistically implement and report on gender interventions. The workshop marks a crucial step toward the development of the NGCCAP for the period 2023-2027.
Conclusion
The NGCCAP Co-Creation Workshop was a pivotal event, emphasizing the urgency of addressing gender disparities in climate change responses. The developed Action Plan is poised to become a guiding document, ensuring that gender considerations are at the forefront of Kenya’s climate initiatives. The commitment to inclusivity and the active engagement of stakeholders reflect Kenya’s dedication to creating a climate-res