GCCTC Hosts Special Panel on “The Role of Women and Girls in Climate Change” at Climate Symposium 2025

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – The Gender and Climate Change Tanzania Coalition (GCCTC), in collaboration with the Forum for Climate Change, successfully hosted a special panel discussion at the Climate Symposium 2025, focusing on “The Role of Women and Girls in Climate Change.”

The session brought together diverse stakeholders, including government representatives, community leaders, youth activists, and civil society organizations, to shed light on the critical role of women, girls, and marginalized communities in shaping climate change policies — with a special focus on their participation in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) processes.

Distinguished Panelists

  1. Ms. Martha Ngalowera – Representative, Vice President’s Office (VPO)
  2. Mr. Musa Kombo – Director, Pemba Child Rights Environmental and Malaria Control Organization (PECREMACO)
  3. Ms. Stella Wesiri – Representative, Changanyikeni New Environment Women Group, Coast Region
  4. Ms. Kwiligwa Manyika – Youth Representative & Climate Activist

Key Discussion Points

The panel explored pressing issues, including:

  • The role of women and girls in biodiversity conservation and inclusive policy dialogues, linked to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
  • The intersection between Tanzania’s biodiversity commitments and the national NDCs process, emphasizing gender-responsive policy approaches.
  • Real-life testimonies from women in marginalized communities, such as those from Morogoro, on how they are adapting to climate change using acquired knowledge and skills.
  • Youth contributions to global climate dialogues, including reflections from the Bonn, Germany climate conference.

Engaging the Audience

Stakeholders were invited to respond to targeted questions based on their roles:

  • Government Representatives – How to better integrate women and marginalized communities in global forums like CBD, GBF, and NDCs.
  • Civil Society Organizations – How they facilitate community and women’s participation in decision-making processes.
  • Community Representatives – The challenges and practical recommendations for ensuring meaningful engagement from marginalized groups.

The discussions were open, inclusive, and solution-focused, resulting in strong proposals to enhance women’s participation in climate action at all levels.

Key Takeaways

  1. Need for inclusive, context-specific policies that reflect the realities of local communities.
  2. Capacity building for women and youth to actively engage in climate policy processes.
  3. Community awareness tracking systems on climate change and land rights.
  4. Improved access to resources for implementing gender-responsive climate strategies.

Closing Remarks

The session concluded with a message from a WATED representative, calling for continued solidarity, sustained partnerships, and the creation of more spaces for women and marginalized communities in both national and international climate dialogues.