The role of gender equality in the mitigation of climate change took centre stage as Rwanda joined the world in the marking of this year’s International Women’s Day on Tuesday March 8.

At the national level, the celebration took place in Gakenke District, with the theme: "Gender Equality to Address Climate Change.”

"There’s an important link between gender equality and climate change because we cannot hope to realise the future we want unless we focus on gender equality,” Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, the Minister of Environment, said on Tuesday.

She added: "Research states that women are more affected by the impacts of climate change compared to men. This is because the majority of vulnerable people living in modest conditions are women; and their livelihoods depend on natural resources which are most affected by climate change.”

Mujawamariya said that women’s contribution in addressing climate change makes mitigation efforts effective and lead to sustainable development.

Jeannette Bayisenge, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, stressed that the tackling of climate change as well as other problems facing women today will need a unified family where women and girls are given the opportunity to take part in the decisions that affect their lives.

"Let’s change our behaviour, starting with limiting climate polluting activities. Though the impacts of climate change today mostly affect women and girls, our activities threaten not only us but also the future generations.”

She added: "Therefore, let’s commit to the empowerment of all members of the family, especially women and girls, and this will help us deal with climate change impacts.” 

The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Fodé Ndiaye, commended Rwanda’s achievements in terms of women empowerment and representation, especially the 61.3 percent of women parliamentarians and 52 percent women members of the Cabinet.

"However, we still have some work to do; we have the issues of gender-based violence, issues of getting more women in the private sector,” Ndiaye said.

"We also need to tackle teenage pregnancy and stunting. Of course, in all those aspects, the government is doing tremendous work in partnership with development partners.”

Ndiaye said women participation in economic development, including export trade, better positions Rwanda in regional integration and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

This year's International Women's Day highlighted the role gender equality in addressing climate change.

UN Resident Coordinator Fode Ndiaye commended Rwanda's achievements in women empowerment and political represantation.