Kwataniza Women Farmers Group Fighting Climate Change 8. EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ................................................................................................................................ 261

As part of their strategy to inform and recruit Ugandan youth about climate changes, the young climate activists have set up Twitter and Facebook accounts. These are critical tools in raising awareness and recruiting young people, especially women, to join the movement. The movement has now grown to 25,000 climate activists across Uganda.2078 Social media has also allowed the young climate activists in Uganda to connect with other climate activists around the country, the continent and the world, which has been influential in finding solutions to some of the problems they face.2079 The Fridays for Future movement in Uganda has also inspired youth in other African countries, such as Angola, Gabon, Niger, Nigeria and Togo, to organise and demand climate action.

By combining online campaigns and in-person meetings, the Uganda Chapter has successfully recruited and sensitised youth in Uganda about climate change and its impacts and reached out to local community members. For example, when they do shore clean-ups and collect plastic at Lake Victoria, they engage with local leaders and fishers.2080 Although the Ugandan Parliament has not acted on their demands to date, in a short time the young activists’ efforts are notable, in particular with respect to raising awareness about climate change and sharing solutions on how to fight it.2081

Kwataniza Women Farmers Group Fighting Climate Change

Across East and Central Africa, the increased frequency of El Niño has resulted in the lowest amount of rain in 50 years and induced drought.2082 El Niño is a climatic event during which water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean are warmer than average, causing varied temperature and rainfall patterns.2083 In Uganda, the impact of climate change has resulted in longer dry seasons and more intense rainfall. At the same time, the country is experiencing rapid deforestation. Approximately 3% of Uganda’s forest is cut down each year for fuel, agriculture and infrastructure and to accommodate a growing population.2084 Continued reliance on biomass energy contributes to carbon emissions.2085

In 2006, oil was discovered in Hoima district. Many moved to the district, which put the pressure on land and other resources. The pace of deforestation increased, resulting in weakened protection against flooding and access to food and water. The changes in climate and increased deforestation disproportionately affect the women in the region and heighten gender inequalities. Bugoma Central Forest in Hoima district is critical to women farmers who derive their livelihoods from agriculture.2086 Deforestation and the impacts of climate change have resulted in low agricultural output for many seasons and increased food insecurity.2087

Founded in 2007, Kwataniza Women Farmers Group (KWG), a women-led community organisation in Hoima district, promotes and enhances gender equality, empowers women and improves women’s livelihoods and amplifies their voices.2088 In response to the alarming deforestation rates and the lack of conservation of trees in the area, KWG began a project to plant fruit trees, such as mango and jackfruit, in the district.2089 There are multiple benefits to planting fruit trees and this taps into KWG’s vision and mission. Planting fruit trees contributes to conserving the environment and reduces greenhouse gases as the trees absorb carbon emissions. The trees are highly resilient to climate change and provide the community with protection against flooding during heavy rainfall. The initiative also empowers the local women by providing them with a source of income and teaches them traditional and indigenous techniques to grow and help preserve the environment. KWG plans to plant an additional 10,000 trees per year with a target of doubling annual plantings over the next five years.2090

KWG also works to prevent further deforestation and oil production in the region. The oil production is a significant source of greenhouse gas emission. Together, with women in Kikuube district, the women in Hoima are calling on the government to implement measures to protect the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve against further destruction.2091

To mobilise and sensitise the community, KWG holds meetings to help men and women appreciate the importance of fruit tree growing.2092 KWG hopes to inspire communities to participate in local and national efforts in environmental conservation and to curb climate change.2093 The group regularly visits schools, and the members teach children about planting trees and the importance of conserving the environment. KWG also shares information on Facebook and the radio to reach the wider community.

The efforts of KWG to mitigate climate-driven risks are critical as women are the primary land users in the area.2094 KWG has empowered women, provided them with a livelihood and amplified the voices of local women in decision-making in matters concerning the conservation of the environment. By working with local community leaders, KWG has also strengthened the community’s support to protect the trees rather than cutting them down as the trees are a source of income and food security.

While their contribution is small, the trees KWG plants nevertheless help reduce carbon emissions. By continuing to plant fruit trees, KWG hopes to improve livelihoods further through income generation from the fruits and to ensure food security.2095 The women in Hoima district continue to mobilise into farmer groups, collectively grow fruits and vegetables and rear animals, and promote and market their products. They do this to empower themselves and to benefit from the growing population in the region.2096 KWG started with 10 women and now has about 40 members.2097