By Lucy Phiri
THE Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) has urged Government to step up efforts in empowering women with land.
CEJ Executive Director Maggie Mwape said women have continued struggling to have control over land both under statutory and customary tenure systems.
Ms Mwape said women were often the worst affected when land becomes degraded and water is scarce due to the effects of sesertification and drought.
She said this to mark the International Day Against Desertification, and Drought under the theme “Her land. Her rights.”
Ms Mwape said the 2023 International Day Against Desertification and Drought emphasises that investing in women’s equal access to land and associated assets is a direct investment in their future and the future of humanity.
She said the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) recognized that droughts are among the greatest threats to sustainable development, especially in developing countries. Ms. Mwape said UNCCD forecasts estimate that by 2050 droughts may affect over three-quarters of the world’s population.
She said the number and duration of droughts has increased by 29 percent since 2000, as compared to the two previous decades according to a World Meteorological Organization 2021 report.
This article is supported with the WAN IFRA Women In News (WIN) Social Impact Reporting Initiative (SIRI). Gender equality, diversity and inclusion ( GEDI) Information in this article does not reflect the views of WAN IFRA Women In News.
