Are Women, Youth and People with Disabilities Neglected in Namibia’s Climate Change Interventions?

Climate change is a pressing global challenge and its impacts have been felt severely in Namibia. As the country grapples with drought and desertification, it is evident that all sectors are affected, especially agriculture and tourism.

On the 16^th of September 2024, The Namibian Youth Chamber of Environment (NYCE)’s Youth Coordinator, Ms Trendy Masule attended a focus group discussion, alongside representatives from other youth-driven organisations, organised through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.

This consultation was part of the Transformative Climate Finance Program (TCFP) under the AU Green Recovery Action Plan (AU-GRAP) Project in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF). The focus group discussion centred on young people’s perspectives on climate finance access and was facilitated by Ms Irene Kunamwene-Nunes.

Namibia has made some effort to address the effects of climate change through its national policies such as the National Climate Change Strategy & Action Plan, aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change and promoting resilience, especially in agriculture and energy sectors. However, despite all these efforts, a critical question remains: Are these strategies inclusive enough?

A review of Namibia’s climate change strategies suggests that there is a lack of targeted approaches to address the specific vulnerabilities of women, youth and people with disabilities. The policies and projects usually focus on large-scale projects such as sustainable energy and water management without considering how the projects will include these marginalised groups. 

Women, youth and people with disabilities are victims of climate change

In Namibia, where rural populations rely heavily on subsistence farming and natural resources, climate change directly impacts livelihoods. Women are particularly vulnerable due to their traditional roles in growing food and caring for families. Prolonged droughts and reduced access to water not only increases their workload but also exposes them to health risks, poverty and food insecurity. In addition, young people often lack access to climate finance and related resources that enable them to start businesses amid high levels of unemployment.

For people with disabilities, the impact of climate change is often worsened by physical, economic and social barriers. Limited mobility and lack of access to information, particularly in rural areas, make it harder for people with disabilities to respond to environmental distresses. Furthermore, the design of Namibia’s climatic interventions, which often focuses on broad, generalised responses, tends to overlook the specific needs of people with disabilities, leaving them more vulnerable to the harsh realities of climate change.  

The discussion concluded with recommendations for improved climate change responses. To ensure that Namibia’s climate change interventions are truly inclusive and effective, the government must adopt a more holistic approach that considers the integration of gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive strategies into national and local policies. The following strategies can be implemented:

• Youth-focused climate policies: Climate interventions must prioritise the needs of the youth by amplifying their voices and enabling access to financial resources. Funding enables young people to start businesses and advocate for sustainable development through green economy opportunities.
• Disability-inclusive approaches: It is important to design climate programmes that accommodate the needs of people with disabilities, such as infrastructure, financing and communications. More importantly, people with disabilities should be included in the consultation processes to ensure that their needs are reflected in policies and climate projects.
• Gender-sensitive climate policies: Namibia should develop and implement climate change policies that address the needs of men and women equally and equitably. This includes enabling women’s participation in climate decision-making bodies and ensuring access to financial and technical resources for adaptation projects.
• Research – monitoring and evaluation: the government and non-governmental organisations should prioritise the collection of data on the impacts of climate change on women, youth and people with disabilities through academic institutions and organisations. This information is essential for monitoring progress and ensuring that interventions are equitable.

As Namibia continues to tackle the growing challenges of climate change, inclusivity interventions are essential. Moving forward, through the AU-GRAP policymakers and stakeholders are urged to work together to ensure that all Namibians are given opportunities to adapt to the continuously changing climate. Only then can Namibia truly build a future that is both sustainable and equitable.  

Blog by Trendy Masule