Discussions on Gender & Environment for Sustainable Development
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission hosted the Provincial Gender Forum at the prestigious Bulawayo Club, where experts and stakeholders gathered to address the pressing environmental challenges faced by Bulawayo, particularly the impacts of drought, land degradation, pollution, illegal mining, and the cultivation of stream banks.
The event was held under the theme of “Gender, Environment, and Climate Change: Building Resilience and Sustainable Development through Gender Equality.”
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) highlighted the environmental issues plaguing the city. Various concerns were enumerated, including the devastating effects of drought, resulting in the scarcity of water resources that directly affects both the environment and livelihoods of the residents.
“Bulawayo is grappling with a severe drought that has depleted our water sources and left many households without access to clean water,” EMA representative said. “We’re also seeing rampant land degradation from activities like sand poaching in Ward 17, as well as pollution of our rivers and streams from industrial effluent and agricultural runoff.”
Additionally, EMA shed light on the alarming issues of land degradation, land and water pollution, as well as the growing threat of illegal mining in Ward 17, where sand is being illegally extracted, leading to extensive ecological damage.
Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission acknowledged the vulnerability of women and girls to climate change. The representative emphasised that traditional gender roles and limited access to resources often leave women and girls more at risk during environmental crises.
EMA’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from both industrial and domestic sources, as well as to enforce bylaws pertaining to environmental protection, were commended as critical steps forward for achieving gender equality and resilience in the face of climate change.
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) representative Audrey Manyemwe, brought attention to the dire water access situation in high-lying areas of the city. She expressed concern for the safety and well-being of girls who frequently bear the burden of fetching water for their families and face increased health risks, including the elevated possibility of teenage pregnancies.
In response to this pressing issue, Manyemwe revealed that the City Council is actively drilling new boreholes with the assistance of donor funding, aiming to alleviate the water scarcity prevalent in these areas.
In conclusion, the Provincial Gender Forum underscored the crucial intersectionality between gender, the environment, and climate change. The event reiterated the urgent need for gender-responsive policies and actions to address the disproportionate impacts faced by women and girls.
Through collaborative efforts from governmental institutions, such as the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, EMA, and the Bulawayo City Council, there is optimism that sustainable development and resilience can be achieved, fostering gender equality and protecting the environment for future generations.
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