ABSA trains women for climate resilience, calls for inclusive leadership

By NATION REPORTER

ABSA Bank Zambia says it has trained over 800 women to build financial and climate resilience in response to climate change.
ABSA Chief Risk Officer, Sarah Lloyd says the masterclasses covered topics such as sustainability and how to remain financially stable during economic shocks.
Ms Lloyd said that more than 200 women had also been trained through innovation labs to strengthen entrepreneurial skills.
Ms Lloyd explained that Zambia had experienced droughts and shifting weather patterns in recent years due to climate change and it was therefore important to equip women with skills that would protect them from economic and climatic shocks.
She stated that while everyone had been affected, the impacts were felt most by vulnerable communities and often, women were the most affected.
“Women need financing that prioritises people and the planet alongside profits. ABSA is committed to supporting green financing and environmental guarantees,” Ms Lloyd said.
Ms Lloyd pointed out that inclusive leadership should amplify the voices of those most affected by climate change.
She stressed that leadership was not limited to executives but included individuals in families, communities, and workplaces.
She said every step taken toward environmental justice was contributing to bold action and systemic transformation.
This came to light during the 2025 Climate and Environment Justice Rally organised by Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) held at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka, Zambia, under the theme ‘Justice Has No Borders, United for a Greener Tomorrow’.
The event was supported by the European Union, Danish Church Aid/ Norwegian Church Aid, Carter Centre, Environment Africa, Hivos, Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR), Action Aid, Family Development Initiatives, Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
Meanwhile, ActionAid Zambia Country Director Faides Tembatemba said communities affected by climate change were not alone, and that the organisation stood with them in pursuit of environmental justice.
Tembatemba stated that Zambia was on the front line of the climate crisis, despite contributing very little to global emissions.
She stated that sectors such as agriculture, forestry, and water were suffering from droughts and outbreaks that had reversed development gains and deepened inequality.
Tembatemba emphasised that civil society remained essential in mobilising voices, demanding accountability, and ensuring climate justice became a reality.
She said this in a speech delivered on her behalf by ActionAid Zambia Business Development Manager Geoffrey Sinzala.
And Family Development Initiatives (FDI) Board Chairperson Abubakar Rwabogo reminded the audience of the Quranic verse from Chapter 7, verse 66, which warns against causing corruption on Earth and calls for invoking Allah with humility and hope.
Rwabogo stated that the rally was more than a gathering — it was a moral and collective call to action rooted in faith and stewardship.