Women leading for a better future

Titilope Ngozi Akosa and Ndivile Mokoena are leading voices in the fight for gender equality within climate justice. Both have dedicated their careers to advocating for the urgent need for a women-led approach to tackling the climate crisis. They are committed to the battle for climate policies that address the specific needs of women and other marginalised groups.

Titilope is the Executive Director of C21st in Nigeria19 and is an active member of the Women and Gender Constituency20 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), having worked in climate justice advocacy for over 15 years. Nigeria has seen an alarming rise in gender-based violence due to the climate crisis. Droughts and floods have reduced access to farmland, leaving women economically vulnerable and heightening tensions in homes.

Titilope’s organisation works to amplify the voices of those affected and pushes for climate finance that supports gender equality. However, she knows that the current system does not enable these efforts. The limited finance available is often restrictive, hindering impactful interventions.

“It’s not rocket science,” says Titilope. “If women’s rights organisations are to tackle the climate crisis, they must be supported with the funds.”

Ndivile is the Gender Project Coordinator at GenderCC, Southern Africa. As a gender and climate activist, she knows that women’s participation in climate decision-making must go beyond token inclusion. Speaking in the UK parliament for last years’ International Women’s Day, Ndivile campaigned for going beyond simply counting women’s presence in meetings. Instead, she said, women’s voices must be heard and their influence allowed to have a tangible impact on policy and action.

Women like Titilope and Ndivile are leading for a better future. For their communities. For the planet.