FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2024
Statement of Grassroot African women of Faith is from the conference at Accra, Ghana 27th – 28th May 2024 whose objective is to build an African multi faith women-led movement on phasing out fossil fuels while calling for locally owned, women led, renewable energy initiatives.
We, African women from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo, coming from different faith communities; Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and Traditional leaders, would like to present to our national governments, and insurance companies, the fossil fuel and extractive corporations and financial institutions especially Ghana Gas, ENI, Total Energies, CNOOC, Quantum, and Shell to clean up their mess, pay up and leave our communities, because women have suffered enough from their actions.
We are demanding just reparations which will help the continent address the challenges of the climate crisis as a result of mining, fossil fuels exploration, exploitations, which will enable our land to heal while coping with the consequences of their actions. As African women of faith representing our respective communities from across Africa, we are deeply concerned, angry, sad and frustrated about the consequences of the irresponsible extractives and actions of the fossil fuel industries on our land, biodiversity, livelihoods, health and the future of our children .
Some African leaders, along with the fossil fuel industry, argue that oil and gas is the answer to Africa’s development problems.
Historically, fossil fuel exploration has not benefited Africa due to exploitation by European, North American, Chinese extractive firms, financial institutions, national governments combined with weak African regulatory, legal and financial systems which promote corruption. In addition, over 85% of fossil fuels produced by Africa-based projects are exported, thereby failing to increase the continent’s energy access rates. However, fossil fuel exploration often exacerbates climate change and social inequalities, leading to land grabs, biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, displacement, loss of livelihood, conflicts, health complications, human right violation and abuse, hence our demand for locally owned, accessible, affordable, clean women led renewable energy initiatives.
As a final outcome of the 2-days workshop dubbed “African Women of Faith in Energy” movement in line with GreenFaith “Ghana’s Building an African Grassroot Women of Faith” movement for Climate Justice, today, 28 May, 2024, having listened to the different ways in which this industry has affected women in their countries represented here and across Africa, we strongly call and adopt the following positions;
Together, we agree that :
We, African Women of Faith, all have a duty and a responsibility to speak out against these atrocities carried by the extractive and fossil fuel industries in the name of development, at the expense of the women, children, and communities.
- Stop New Fossil Fuels Projects and Supporting Locally Owned Renewable Energy for Africa Women
We recognise that access to affordable energy is a fundamental challenge that the African continent, especially Women, is facing even after the extraction of the critical resources needed to transform it.
- We demand an urgent stop to new fossil fuel projects and related finance, upscaling a just transition; clean energy that is affordable, accessible and locally owned.
- We call for action from all governments and institutions accountable to faith communities and women to support the bid for a Just Energy Transition in Africa, while promoting inclusivity, equity and access to Renewable Energy.
- Innovative Climate Finance
We acknowledge the fact that there has not been adequate financial support directed to the African Women in the continent despite numerous commitments on reparation from the developed countries to avail the same. The Africa Women of Faith presents an opportunity for the international financial community to move beyond rhetoric and avail the much needed climate finance for Africa.
- We urge African leaders to develop and implement innovative climate finance that are accessible and beneficial to the most vulnerable and marginalised frontline communities and women that are at the highest risk from the climate crisis and extractions.
- Increase funding and financial mechanisms to support women-led initiatives in renewable energy projects.
- Inclusive Energy Policies:
- We advocate for energy policies that prioritize the needs and perspectives of women of faith in Africa, ensuring that they are active participants in decision-making processes at all levels.
- Recognise, strengthen and involve the local women led structures in all the decision making processes
Loss and Damage
According to the latest IPCC report, Africa, especially women are confronted with the severest adverse effects of human-induced climate change such as mining and oil explorations, compared to most other regions of the world due to a relatively low adaptive capacity.
- Deliver concrete actions and recognize the profound impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities, especially women, and the need for urgent action to address loss and damage that targets the frontline communities across Africa.
- Operationalise the loss & damage to make it accessible in a timely manner to grassroot women
- Urgent call and emphasize the moral obligation of governments and institutions to provide support and just reparations to those suffering from the adverse effects of climate change e.g floods
- Green Jobs
- Develop and ensure that green job opportunities are accessible to all, particularly women and marginalized communities, to promote economic inclusion and social equity.
- Deliver concrete actions that support initiatives that provide training and education for women to equip them with knowledge and skills needed for green jobs, enterprise and sustainable practices.
- Promote community-centric approaches to green job creation that align with women, local needs, religious and cultural values.
