The West and Central African Women’s Climate Assembly met in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria in October 2022. The assembly brought together women from across the continent to bring forth solutions and to build solidarity for the unique challenges they face. Participants included women across movements: forestry, oil and mining resistance, fisheries, energy and infrastructure, and more. Africa, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, has contributed minimally to the climate crisis, but has faced the most environmental destruction in its wake. Along with increasing temperatures, disease levels, and food insecurity, an estimated 86 million Africans will have to migrate within their countries to evade climate disasters by 2050. African women are particularly vulnerable to these changes as they are primarily responsible for food, water, household needs, general domestic care, and caring for those who are sick. Their needs are often being overlooked by the enforcement of oil, gas, and other detrimental projects. These women are coming together and fighting for African government officials and the global community, particularly the Global North, to recognize and reconcile the effects of their projects on the developing world. Photo credit: EnviroNews Nigeria
