The Women in Climate Change (WiCC) Conference, held on May 16th, 2024, at Silver Springs Hotel in Kampala, was a resounding success. The conference, organized by the Global Green Growth Institute Uganda (GGGI) in partnership with the Climate Change Department, GIZ, European Union in Uganda and Makerere University Business School (MUBS), themed “Advancing Climate Financing for Scaling Women-led Climate Innovations” aimed to emphasize the urgent need for sustainable climate financing to support women-led climate action and innovations.
The conference commenced with Dagmar Zwebe, the country representative for GGGI Uganda, setting the tone for the day’s discussions. She engaged the audience in an interactive quiz activity, encouraging active participation and knowledge sharing among the attendees. This engaging start infused the conference with energy and enthusiasm, ensuring an environment conducive to meaningful dialogue and collaboration.
Throughout the day, esteemed speakers and panelists highlighted the pivotal role of women in driving climate change solutions. Hon. Anite Evelyn, the Minister of State of Finance for Investment & Privatization, stressed the need for innovative solutions to address climate-related challenges faced by women. She emphasized that women and youth have a pivotal role to play and called for alternative financing solutions to empower and support their resilience.
Sanne Willems, Head of Sustainable Development at the European Union in Uganda, emphasized that women are not merely victims of climate change but rather the movers and shakers who possess the solutions and drive change. She underscored women’s leadership in renewable energy, soil health, crop yield improvements, and other vital areas that impact local communities. Willems also shared insights about the European Union’s support to the financial sector, highlighting their commitment to bringing about change in climate finance through initiatives such as digital finance and the establishment of targeted financing credit lines. These efforts aim to support women-led business cases and ensure that sustainable climate financing reaches the right people.
Hon. Beatrice Anywar, the Minister of State for Environment, also stressed the significance of diversifying funding for women and youth-led climate initiatives. She emphasized the importance of maximizing impact through blended finance models and aligning investments with the priorities of sustainable development. Her remarks echoed the collective sentiment that empowering women and youth is crucial for effective climate action.
H.E. Amb. Tomas Anker Christensen, the Danish Climate Ambassador, reiterated the need for women’s inclusion in climate change discussions and negotiations, highlighting that women’s voices and needs must be fully integrated into decision-making processes to ensure comprehensive and equitable solutions. His call for gender equality in climate action resonated strongly with the attendees, emphasizing the importance of women’s participation at all levels.
The WiCC Conference also served as a platform to honor outstanding women who have made significant contributions to sustainable innovations and initiatives that inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
In conclusion, the 2024 WiCC Conference successfully shed light on the critical need for sustainable climate financing to advance women-led climate action and innovations. The event emphasized the importance of amplifying women’s leadership, breaking down financial and non-financial barriers, and fostering collaboration to address the urgent challenges of climate change. With diverse voices and expertise coming together, the WiCC Conference 2024 marked a significant step forward in driving meaningful action for a sustainable future.
