CLIMATE CHANGE GENDER ACTION PLAN OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA (ccGAP:ZM) Hosted by the Ministry of Gender for the Republic of Zambia Facilitated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Gender Office (IUCN GGO) Developed through a participatory, multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder process This ccGAP was made possible thanks to the financial support and partnership of USAID. CLIMATE CHANGE GENDER ACTION PLAN OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA (ccGAP:ZM) “Climate change is a major threat to the effects of climate change, and where women environment and natural resources, which help devise early warning systems and we need for the sustainable development of reconstruction efforts, communities largely fare our country. The effects of climate change better when natural disasters caused by the will undermine the very foundation of change of climate occur. socioeconomic development and will increase inequality and poverty. It will have a serious When it therefore comes to decision-making impact on the livelihoods of poor women in and implementation towards building resilient Zambia, as the changing weather patterns will communities in the face of climate change, affect agriculture and water resources, which the full and meaningful participation of women are often the responsibility of women. becomes essential. Our government recognises the pivotal role Our government recognises that there is a gap women can play role in the adaptation to between gender and climate change at national climate change. Women farmers who make level and the grassroots level; therefore the up above 60% of the small-scale farmers at development of the Climate Change Gender production level can avoid crop failure in the Action Plan will bridge this gap in providing face of changing weather patterns by growing a framework policy of how gender can help off-season crops, which are more resilient to address climate change. floods and drought. The Ministry of Gender is committed to ensuring In Zambia, the National Gender Policy that all important government programmes articulates the fact that women have shown to including climate change take into consideration be effective leaders within their communities the needs of women and men at all levels.” when it comes to addressing the harmful Honourable Victoria Kalima Minister of Gender Republic of Zambia FW: FOREWORD With the development of Zambia’s first Climate of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Change Gender Action Plan (ccGAP:ZM), the Protection (MLNREP), respecting its role Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) as the lead institution for the environmental will endeavour to take action on women’s sustainability and integrity throughout the leadership in the context of climate change. country; the Interim Climate Change Secretariat Without such plans in place, a country’s climate (ICCS); climate change units, departments, change policy and planning is often gender- and focal points across sectors; development blind. Understandably, it is important to note partners, including bilateral and multilateral that the ccGAP:ZM is a national strategy that donors and the UN system; climate finance will create coherence and stimulate cooperation institutions and mechanisms; civil society; between different government departments and academia; and many others. stakeholders dealing with gender and climate change. Through the multi-stakeholder process, This Action Plan is grounded in the the strategies increase public awareness of comprehensive existing institutional and climate change and gender equality issues to policy framework that exists in Zambia, and in stimulate interest, participation and consultation particular in the National Climate Change Policy with different stakeholders in developing (NCCP) and the National Gender Policy. climate change policies, and to increase capacity of those national actors to continue The ccGAP:ZM will require a collaborative effort their involvement. between the MoG and the MLNREP. The MoG as the leading institution mandated to ensure The objective of the ccGAP:ZM is to ensure that that gender is fully incorporated in the national Zambia’s climate change processes mainstream initiatives and policies, and the MLNREP as the gender considerations to guarantee that women leading institution in the topic of climate change. and men can have access to, participate in, and benefit equally from climate change initiatives. It is important to notice that all the major funding mechanism associated with climate This ccGAP, as indicated in Section A, is an change have developed gender polices with Action Plan of the Ministry of Gender (MoG). It their respective plans of actions such as is, however, put forward as a tool for enhanced Climate Investment Funds (CIF), the Global cooperation and action across and by all Environment Facility (GEF), Green Climate relevant actors, and in particular by the Ministry Funds (GCF) and Adaptation Fund (AF), which IV constitutes an unprecedented opportunity for these and other new resources for the Ministry Zambia. It is hoped that the ccGAP:ZM will of Gender. support the exploration and mobilisation of Dr. Felix V. Phiri Permanent Secretary Ministry of Gender Republic of Zambia V SPECIAL SA: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Government of Zambia is unique in its representatives from several ministries and years-long commitment to mainstreaming government departments and agencies, civil gender in policies across sectors. The newly society, academia, research institutions, local established Ministry of Gender is visionary in its NGOs and international organisations; a desk understanding of the critical linkages between review of key reports, publications, websites, advancing gender equality and combatting surveys and in-person interviews for accurate the climate crisis—and this leadership is information on the Zambian situation; and then a evidenced by the Climate Change Gender series of multi-stakeholder workshops in Lusaka Action Plan (ccGAP) in the pages ahead. This (18-22 January 2016), which brought together ccGAP spans sectors, levels, and agencies; it experts, policymakers and practitioners across addresses a wide range of priority issues for a wide spectrum of sectors and from all 10 protecting and promoting the natural resources provinces. The discussions of these workshops and beauty of Zambia—from energy to water, prioritised sectors and issues, examined the and from forestry and wildlife to tourism. Far gender-differentiated impacts of climate change from exhaustive in detailing every aspect in Zambia, analysed the status of women and of gender and climate concerns relevant to the constraints to gender equality, and produced Zambia, it provides a substantive tool for action critical and innovative ideas for bridging gaps for all stakeholders engaged in the sustainable and advancing gender-responsive climate development, and climate change adaptation change adaptation and mitigation. and mitigation, of the country. The Global Gender Office of the International Union for Many individuals and institutions made this effort Conservation of Nature (IUCN GGO) has taken possible; to them, and to others who may not be great pride in having the opportunity to support listed here, we extend our sincerest appreciation: the Ministry of Gender, and the Government as a whole, in constructing this Plan. The Minister of Gender, Hon. Victoria Kalima, MP, is an extraordinary source of wisdom, Drawing upon a background document prepared inspiration and action: her commitment by Mr. Victor Kazembe Kawanga of the Africa to empowering the women of Zambia, Foundation for Sustainable Development, protecting their rights, and supporting gender- who served as consultant to this process responsive action on climate change is clear in support of both the Ministry of Gender in her Ministry’s commitment to the ccGAP and ourselves, IUCN GGO has facilitated a process. The Permanent Secretary of Gender, process that comprised mainly of in-country Ms. Edwidge K.M. Mutale offered substantive meetings; stakeholder consultations involving and inspiring guidance to the entire process. VI The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Grateful acknowledgement goes to USAID. Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental USAID has recognised the power of gender Protection (MLNREP), Mr. Barnaby equality and promoted women’s rights and Mulenga then offered visionary guidance for empowerment across its development strategies implementation. IUCN GGO looks forward to and investments. IUCN GGO is better for its potential opportunities to support collaborations partnership with USAID and deeply thankful with the MLNREP and across Ministries for for the support in this and other transformative the full implementation of gender-responsive processes. In addition to countless partners commitments. Mrs. Yunike Zulu-Mutale, Assistant in USAID headquarters and around the world, Director and Desk Officer for Gender and thanks go to the Zambian office. Climate Change, has been a vital driver of this process. Finally, our sincerest thanks—as always—to our IUCN GGO colleagues in Washington, DC, Mr. Victor Kazembe Kawanga and Mr. Danny and around the world, for their tireless support. Mohapeloa Bulaya of the Africa Foundation Emmett Boyer and Molly Gilligan contributed for Sustainable Development were joyful significant research to the pages ahead, Barbara companions along this journey and offered sage Clabots contributed data and analysis, and advice on addressing critical sectoral issues. Roxanne Halley