-Campaign To Transform the Landscape of Climate Activism
By Insight Post Uganda
Masaka Region, Uganda
In a bid to address the pressing issues of gender inequality and climate justice, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from Uganda and Sweden have united forces to launch a comprehensive climate initiative in Masaka region, Southwestern Uganda.
The campaign seeks to bridge the gap in climate activism by actively involving both men and women in practical community engagements, recognising that environmental degradation, often perpetrated by men, affects everyone in Uganda and the world over.
The initiative, spearheaded by Community Transformation Foundation Network (COTFONE) in Uganda and MÄN Sweden, advocates for positive masculinity, is set to redefine the narrative surrounding climate initiatives.
It further looks at how innovative approaches and inclusive strategies can tackle the complex interplay between climate change and gender dynamics.
The organisations believe that addressing climate change requires a holistic approach that includes everyone, yet, neglecting the role of men risk perpetuating stereotypes and missing out on valuable contributions to sustainable solutions.”
This comes at the time the world is waking up to the realisation that gender inclusivity is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity in the fight against climate change.
According to Denis Lewis Bukenya, the Programs Coordinator -COTFONE, they have embarked on a journey to confront climate change through a gender-sensitive outlook by engaging men is a crucial step towards ending gender inequalities and rectifying climate injustices.
“As Uganda faces changes in its environment and Sweden deals with its own set of challenges, the partnership understands that these issues are connected. This means that to solve them, both countries need to work together practically and cooperatively,” he explains.
The campaign’s emphasis on involving men is a departure from the norm in environmental initiatives. While men have historically been the primary contributors to environmental destruction, they are often overlooked in climate campaigns.
Understanding that vulnerable communities bear a greater burden, Bukenya explains that the initiative will focus on educating boys and men. The goal is to eliminate harmful social practices and combat Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). Beyond addressing gender disparities, the objective is to integrate climate justice into all environmentally conscious efforts.
“The degradation, predominantly masculine in nature, stems from activities like deforestation for timber and charcoal production or clearing land for agriculture,” he said.
Yisito Kayinga Muddu, the National Coordinator of COTFONE, says the initiative’s unique approach aims to break down gender barriers and promote a sense of shared responsibility for climate justice.
By involving both men and women, Kayinga noted, they seek to ensure that the consequences of environmental degradation are understood by all, as women and children disproportionately bear the brunt of climate change impacts.
“Climate justice cannot be achieved if we exclude any section of the population. Men, as well as women and children, must be active participants in finding solutions and rectifying the environmental damage caused by human activities,” he states.
According to Kayinga, engaging communities at the grassroots level is key as all trained facilitators are equipped not only with knowledge but also with the skills to connect with people on a personal level, promoting understanding and collaboration.
“It’s crucial to recognise that men, who are often the leading culprits in environmental harm, can also be significant agents of positive change. Engaging them is not just about assigning blame but understanding their pivotal role in rectifying the damage,” he believes.
MÄN Sweden’s Perspective
Vidar Vetterfalk, Project Coordinator at MÄN Sweden, noted the significant negative impact that men often have on the environment, accompanied by a tendency to deny the existence of the climate crisis.
To address this issue, he adds, the importance of collaboration with member organisations and strategic partners, including women’s rights groups, believing that such partnerships are crucial for the success of the initiative.
The planned activities within this initiative are comprehensive and include mapping exercises, organisational capacity assessments, as well as tailored training for boys, and men, and specialised training for community leaders.
In addition, Vetterfalk highlights the crucial role men play in controlling essential resources necessary to tackle environmental challenges. According to research findings indicate a lower level of environmental and climate concern among men, particularly in Sweden, compared to their female counterparts.
“Swedish men are identified as one of the least concerned demographics in Europe,” he states.
However, Vetterfalk suggests that one contributing factor to men’s hesitance in embracing environmentally responsible consumer habits is the association of such behaviours with feminine traits. This perception, he believes, may contribute to a reluctance among men to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
About gender, this initiative aligns with our commitment to challenge destructive masculinity norms. “We believe that engaging men and boys for gender equality and care is integral to end men ́s violence against women and children and to end the destruction of the environment,” affirmed Vidar.
Campaign Implementers’ Training
The campaign kicked off in Masaka region, where facilitators from various districts underwent intensive training. Facilitators hailing from Masaka, Rakai, Lwengo, Lyantontonde, Sembabule, Kalangala, Kyotera, Kalungu, and Bukomamnsimbi were equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to engage communities effectively.
This hands-on training is pivotal in ensuring that the initiative resonates with diverse populations and meets the unique challenges faced by each community.
Erenah Nalule, one of the active participants in the training, says this campaign is not just about pointing fingers but about finding solutions together. She adds that men need to understand their role in protecting the environment, and women and children need to be part of the conversation.
“We need to move beyond traditional narratives and recognise that both men and women play pivotal roles in shaping the future of our planet,” she explains.
In addition, Nalule noted that this campaign is a step towards breaking down stereotypes and boosting a collaborative approach to tackling climate change.
George William Kafuuma, another participant highlightsthe importance of evidence-based approaches saying their understanding of the link between gender, environmental degradation, and climate change is essential in crafting effective solutions.
This campaign, he says, stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, highlighting that sustainable solutions can only be achieved when everyone is part of the conversation.
Uganda Government
To ensure a comprehensive approach, an in-depth gender analysis was conducted as part of Uganda’s National Determined Contribution (NDC) implementation planning process.
The analysis explored the gender responsiveness of policies, legal frameworks, and institutional arrangements, stating the need for gender-inclusive actions in key sectors like Agriculture, Energy, and Waste.
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