By Lilian U. Okoro

Analysis by The Aiding Lives Initiative for the Vulnerable (ALIVE), an NGO, has identified gender gaps in the Lagos Climate Action Plan Policy.

Accordingly, the group has called for the development of inclusive climate action plans that incorporate coastal community voices, lived experiences, and importance of including women in building a climate-resilient state/environment.

The Executive Director of the organisation, Ms Pandora Umechukwu, made the call at a Stakeholders’ Interface Meeting on Developing a Gender-Sensitive Climate Action Policy in Lagos State on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting had the theme: “Amplifying Women’s Voices in Lagos State Climate Action Policy”.

Umechukwu said that the meeting provided a platform for women from flood-prone communities like Makoko, Ago-Egun, and Badia, to directly engage policymakers and share their lived experiences of climate impacts.

“We have gathered a diverse group of stakeholders to share knowledge, review findings, and begin the collaborative process of developing a Gender-Sensitive Climate Action Policy for Lagos State.

“A policy that acknowledges the differential impact of climate change n women and children, their experiences, knowledge, and leadership in crafting lasting solutions.

“The idea is amplify the voices of these coastal communities who are living through the hard impacts of ocean surge and environmental degradation.

“They endure the brunt of the climate crisis without adequate representation in policy dialogue,” Umechukwu said.

The event featured the presentation of a Gender Analysis of the Lagos State Climate Action Plan (2020–2025).

The analysis, led by ALIVE and eco-activist collaborators, revealed key gaps in the policy’s engagement with women, including absence of gender-disaggregated data and limited inclusion of women in planning and implementation.

Others were lack of funding for gender-focused climate adaptation, gender mainstreaming mentioned, but without clear strategies or funding, and unaddressed gender specific impacts on women.

Umechukwu explained that the meeting interface was about changing that narrative, saying that women and children in coastal communities bear the greatest burden of climate impacts.

She said  that women do not have access to clean energy, mobility, and flood protection.

She decried that women faced gender-specific vulnerabilities due to their dual roles as caregivers and income earners, saying that during floods, they were responsible for ensuring the safety of children, sourcing food, managing water collection, and navigating destroyed sanitation systems.

According to her, unlike men, women are rarely included in decision-making processes, which limits their access to critical information and resources.

“Transport, housing, and energy policies failed to address women’s unique needs. Informal women-led businesses are often displaced without support.

“The current Climate Action Plan does not include specific gender-responsive measures.

“Ocean surges and environmental degradation have deeply disrupted life for women and children in Lagos’ coastal communities.

“Women are most affected by flooding and ocean surges, but are least involved in the solutions. We aim to elevate community voices and propose transformative, inclusive policy changes,” she said.

The meeting also featured a health talk by Dr Anulika Madueke, a medical doctor, who addressed the public health risks of flooding on women and children, calling for stronger preventative practices and applauded the resilience of the community women.

A representative from the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources lauded the work done so far, acknowledging the clean-up efforts, climate resilience trainings, and grassroots policy analysis as “commendable steps” toward inclusive environmental governance.

As the current Climate Action Plan expires in 2025, the meeting concluded with clear calls to action, to develop inclusive climate action plans that ensure communities were actively engaged and consulted at every stage before, during, and after the planning process.

Officials present at the engagement expressed commitment to deeper engagement with communities and recognised the importance of including women in building a climate-resilient state.

The meeting had in attendance representatives from the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Chairmen and Directors of Environmental services of Bariga LCDA and Apapa-Iganmu LCDA, Community Development leaders and 100 women from coastal communities.

ALIVE is a nonprofit Organisation committed to empowering vulnerable women and children by promoting health, well-being, environmental resilience, enabling them to lead safe and fulfilling lives.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu