Empowering Women and Communities: Breaking Barriers to Climate Finance in Ethiopia

Amaranth: A Grain of Hope for Climate Resilience

Amaranth Farm Ecolodge, a local women-led civil society organization, is tackling climate change head-on. Named after the resilient and nutrient-dense grain amaranth, the organization focuses on food security in vulnerable areas. The call to action? Amaranth must be scientifically tested and scaled to feed communities facing climate challenges.

The Invisibility of Women-Led Climate Initiatives

One of the key discussions was the lack of visibility for women-led civil society organizations and private sector consultants in the climate finance space. Despite their contributions, gender-disaggregated data is not being captured, leaving these groups out of critical funding opportunities. Even Ethiopia’s commendable Green Legacy initiative has missed the mark in terms of gender inclusion.

Why Climate Change Hits Women Hardest

Climate change impacts everyone, but women—especially in developing countries—bear a disproportionate share of the burden. From health risks to increased workloads and disrupted education, women are at the forefront of climate vulnerability. As agriculture, water, and energy systems are strained by climate change, urgent gender-responsive action is needed.

Global Policies, Local Realities: Aligning for Change

We discussed key international agreements like the Rio Declaration and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, along with Ethiopia's Green Legacy program. The message was clear: while policies exist, gaps remain in financing, coordination, and leadership. The private sector, particularly financial institutions, must step up to support climate resilience.

A Call to Action: Financing the Future of Women and the Planet

Climate finance isn’t just about risk mitigation—it’s about enabling women and communities to adapt and thrive. The private sector, including banks and insurers, needs to adopt corporate sustainability practices. It's time for Ethiopia to unlock climate financing for initiatives like amaranth cultivation, ensuring food security and water management.

Women-Led Solutions Deserve the Spotlight

The final call was for greater support for women-led organizations. Ethiopia can learn from Rwanda's experience with gender-responsive climate finance, but barriers such as language, capacity, and access to sustained finance must be addressed.

Together, we can empower women to lead in the fight against climate change, securing a more resilient future for all.

A Multi-Stakeholder Approach: Coordination is Key

Another important point raised during the dialogue was the need for a multi-stakeholder approach to climate finance. A functional coordination unit, led by the Ministry of Plan and Development and co-chaired by donors and state actors, was proposed to ensure regular meetings and transparent reporting on climate interventions. This unit would manage pooled funds, document best practices, and enforce accountability mechanisms across all stakeholders, including non-state actors. The mainstreaming of climate work should be compulsory at all levels, reinforcing a system where climate action is everyone’s responsibility.

?