Women farmers key to Liberia climate change debate

A woman pounds cassava, a popular food staple in Liberia. Image: Angela Johnson

She says climate change worries them: “We are concerned because over the years we have seen how it has affected us.

“In the past we farmed in keeping with a familiar seasonal pattern. But things have changed. When we think we should be planting, harvesting or resting, in fact it’s the opposite, because of the climate.”

Krubo Seanneh farms in Liberia’s breadbasket county of Lofa in the north of the country, near the border with Guinea. Normally, she says, they clear their farmland in November and December so they can spend January, February and March planting and then prepare for the harvest.

“But we are not keeping to this schedule any longer because the weather changes so much. When this happens, we do not grow enough food, meaning shortages, especially between June and July. And then the food prices increase because of the scarcity,” she added.

A women’s colloquium

As part of its efforts, Karmorh said, “Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency is embarking on an awareness campaign to bring gender to the forefront in the climate debate.”

“Our efforts are now gaining momentum and we are planning, with the government of Finland, to use an upcoming women’s colloquium to be held in Monrovia to draw the world’s attention to this issue.”

Karmorh said the colloquium was due to be attended by world leaders including Tarja Halonen, the President of Finland, and the US First Lady Mrs. Michelle Obama, the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as well as other prominent women from across Africa and the world.

“We intend to highlight the important role women play, especially in caring for crops, planting trees and ensuring they grow to maturity, and making reforestation happen”, he said.
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[YouTube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW_o_dAi5_U?rel=0]

The voices of rural African women, who are working hands-on with food production, farming and agriculture, is becoming a vast resource to aide in improving climate change and global warming. This video features some of the women who participated in the AWLAE – African Women Leaders in Agriculture and Environment education program. A 2008, 2:26 min, Winrock International video production.
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[YouTube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZXpw83_5I4?rel=0]

Margaret Ryan weighs in on a 2009 report released by the U.N. stating that women play a pivotal role in the assessment and improvement of climate change. The UN report also states that population and the global empowerment of women with reproductive education does make a difference in the now deteriorating condition of our planet. A 5:57 min Clean Skies (The Energy and Environment Network) News production, Nov 2009.
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For More information on this topic:

“Women – The Secret Weapon to Fight Hunger,” FAO Executive Director, Josette Sheeran, UNWFP – United Nations World Food Programme, November 2009.
“Draft Recommendations by the Network of Women Ministers and Leaders for Environment,” High Level Gender Forum – UNEP, United Nations Environment Programme, February 2009.
“FACT SHEET – Empowering Women in Liberia,” – United Nations in Liberia, April 2009.
“Water for Agriculture and Energy in Africa: The Challenges of Climate Change,” National Investment Brief, Liberia – The Sirte Water and Energy Conference, 2008.

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Environment journalist, Patrick K. Wrokpoh, is a UNDP – United Nations Development Program “Best Developmental Journalist Award” winner for 2008 – 2009. For the last 12 years, he has worked with The Inquirer newspaper in Liberia as an Associate Editor and has also worked for Agency France Press (AFP) and African News Dimension, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Wrokpoh is also a Monrovia correspondent for IRIN – the UN Integrated Regional Information News, reporting mainly on humanitarian issues.

Additional material for this article has been supplied by Women News Network – WNN.
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This article has been brought to you through a Women News Network – WNN partnership with Panos London Illuminating Voices.

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