Malawi Women's Group Urges Climate Action from Developed Nations
The forum's efforts align with Action Aid Malawi's "Fund our Future" campaign, which also urges banks to divest from climate-harming activities.
MZIMBA, Malawi — A women's organization in northern Malawi is calling on developed countries to increase funding for climate change resilience in vulnerable nations, writes Sopani Jalanthowa.
Joyce Mwale, director of Khonsolo Women's Forum, an Action Aid Malawi affiliate, made the plea during a climate justice campaign in Kanjuchi, Mzimba district.
"Developed countries must take responsibility for their role in climate change and support vulnerable communities," Mwale said.
The forum's efforts align with Action Aid Malawi's "Fund our Future" campaign, which also urges banks to divest from climate-harming activities.
Mwale said the organization is working with communities in Inkosi Khonsolo's area to promote sustainable livestock farming, afforestation, and organic fertilizer use.
"We are discouraging our communities from reliance on chemical fertilizers and that they should embrace the use of manure because, unlike chemical fertilizers, manure helps in retaining soil fertility," she said.
The group's initiatives aim to combat climate change at the local level while advocating for global action.
Their focus on sustainable practices reflects a growing trend in grassroots environmental movements across Africa.
Inkosi Khonsolo, a local traditional leader, welcomed the forum's interventions, noting Malawi's vulnerability to climate-related disasters.
"We all know how the country has been hit by a number of calamities in the near past. Cyclones have rendered people homeless and led to the deaths of others, so I support what the forum is doing to mitigate the vice," Khonsolo said.
Malawi, like many developing nations, has faced increasing challenges from extreme weather events, often attributed to climate change.
Recent years have seen devastating cyclones and floods that have displaced thousands and damaged crucial infrastructure.
The Khonsolo Women's Forum's campaign highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing countries and the need for international support.
Their call for increased funding echoes broader demands from climate activists and developing nations at global climate conferences.
The forum's activities are part of Action Aid Malawi's recent "Fund Our Future" campaign, which advocates for a shift from industrial agriculture to agroecology in the country.
This approach aims to create more sustainable and resilient food systems that can better withstand climate shocks.
As climate change continues to pose significant challenges to countries like Malawi, grassroots organizations like Khonsolo Women's Forum play a crucial role in both local adaptation efforts and international advocacy.
Their work underscores the growing urgency for global action on climate change, particularly in supporting the most vulnerable communities.