The Director, West Africa Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) Gambia Office, Prof. Sidat Yaffa acknowledged that despite the crucial role women play in our society, they still lack ownership and leadership roles. He made the remarks recently at a two day capacity building program designed to empower women on responsive climate actions, jointly organized by the National Climate Action Centre and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare and other development partners. The synergy is meant to strengthen the knowledge base, leadership skills and build the capacity of women to access and mobilise climate Finance. prof Yaffa stated that climate change is a threat to food security, health and environment as well as peace. This he noted put immense burden on women who bares greatest responsibility on household livelihood. Speaking at the forum, Illo Jallow permanent secretary Ministry of Gender urged participants to take leadership roles to mitigate the impacts of climate change. He emphasised the need to train more women affirming that without them climate change resilience will be difficult to attain. The Director of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Mariyann G. Jabang Secka spoke at length on the policies towards women empowerment and gender equality in the country. In her Speech the Coordinator, National Climate Action Centre Dr. Bintou Dibba explained the various pilot initiatives undertaken by the centre to bring climate information to the doorstep of the citizenry as well as train people in climate change mitigation and adaptation. She further thanked development partners for the initiative saying it will go a long way to empower women in problem solving initiatives in the Gambia.
