IWD 2025: From the Frontlines to the Decision Tables.

In the communities in Bonny, Rivers State, where fishing and farming have sustained families for generations, people watch helplessly as rising sea levels swallow large amounts of land. The salty water seeps into farms, destroying cassava and plantain crops.? Mothers recall a time when the tides were predictable, but today, nothing is certain. The climate crisis is not just an environmental issue here, it is a battle for survival, and women like our mothers are on the frontlines.

March 8 is not just another day on the calendar, it is a movement, a wake-up call, and a challenge to the world. International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, themed #AccelerateAction, could not have come at a better time. Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is here, disrupting lives, economies, and ecosystems. And guess who is holding the fort? Women. They are not just surviving the crisis, they are leading the charge to fix it.

Climate Change Hits Women Harder And That is a Fact

I suggest we face it now; climate change is unfair. Women, especially in Africa, are the most affected, yet they are often left out of decision-making spaces. Why? Because outdated policies and systemic inequalities make it harder for them to access resources, own land, or secure funding for climate solutions. But the kicker is the fact that they are still making things happen!

SHOCKING STATS YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• 80% of people displaced by climate disasters are women, yet they receive less than 10% of climate funding.
• In Africa, women produce up to 80% of food, but own less than 20% of the land, how do they adapt if they don’t even control the soil they farm on?
• Only 35% of climate decision-makers globally are women, which means the people most affected by climate change are barely represented in policy discussions.

You all should see why I am worried?but guess what? Women are not waiting for permission, we no longer wait to be permitted before taking action! We are taking charge, mobilizing communities, and leading climate solutions from the grassroots to global platforms. The world needs to keep up. Women like Fatou Jeng , advocating for gender-responsive policies in The Gambia, and Temilade Salami , a climate education and communication expert mobilizing young people for climate action, are proving that when women lead, real solutions happen.

In Nigeria, Glory Oguegbu is training women and youth for green jobs, while Tolulope Gbenro , a social impact consultant, Olatomide Ojajune push for sustainability projects and community-driven solutions. Organizations like the Women Environmental Programme (WEP) , led by dedicated women, ensure that gender perspectives are included in policy discussions. Similarly, Jennifer Uchendu of SustyVibes , founded by a passionate advocate for climate action, is making sustainability mainstream.

Policies Need to Step Up, NOW not TOMORROW!

The global community keeps making big promises on gender equality in climate action, but let’s be honest, implementation is crawling. Words without action are meaningless. Some things need to change immediately:

?? More women at the decision-making table: Climate policies must include women’s voices at every level, local, national, and global.?

?? Gender-responsive climate financing: We need to stop sidelining women-led projects. Climate funds should prioritize and directly support them.

??? Land and resource rights for women: African governments must revise land ownership laws to ensure women have equal rights to resources.?

?? Climate leadership education: More young women need to be equipped with the skills and opportunities to drive sustainable solutions.

Women Are the Climate Solution So Why Aren’t We Investing in Them?

The truth is simple: We cannot win the climate fight without women. Their resilience, knowledge, and leadership are already making waves. Imagine what could happen if they had the full support they deserve.

“When women lead, we don’t just make changes—we make history.” – Christiana Figueres, former UN climate chief.

Accelerate Action: What Can You Do?

This International Women’s Day, we should move from talking about women to supporting them with real action. This can be done by?

? Amplify women’s voices: Share their stories, follow their work, and demand they be included in key conversations.

?? Support women-led climate initiatives: Donate, volunteer, or advocate for funding to go into projects led by women. According to UN Women (and based on research by the UN FAO), if all women smallholders receive equal access to productive resources, their farm yields will rise by 20-30%, and an estimated 100-150 million people will no longer go hungry.

?? Hold leaders accountable: Ask your government and institutions what they are doing to support women in climate action.?

? Push for policies that work for women, not against them: Join campaigns for gender-inclusive environmental policies.

To celebrate March 8, let us not just celebrate women, we should empower them, support them, and demand they have a seat at every table where climate decisions are made.

SO tell me who are the women inspiring you in climate action? Tag them and celebrate them.

#IWD2025 #accelerateaction #womenforclimate #climatejusticenow #africanwomenlead