August 2024: For Earthlife Africa Johannesburg, its widely anticipated annual Women Seminars are at the heart of Women’s Month. These events have become an inspiring and transformative staple each year, with nearly 400 women attending in four locations in Limpopo, Gauteng, and Eastern Cape. These seminars embody Earthlife Africa’s commitment to an inclusive, gender-just society where women are empowered to take centre stage in the pursuit of sustainable, equitable change. From hands-on training with innovative tools to insightful policy discussions, the seminars highlight both the achievements and challenges of women in environmental advocacy.
Spotlight on Women Leading the Just Transition
The mission of Earthlife Africa’s Women Seminars is rooted in one fundamental principle: a just transition to a sustainable future is impossible without women’s voices and contributions. The seminars not only offer a space for local women to learn but serve as a vital platform where women can feel seen, heard, and empowered to make lasting change within their communities.
Sibongile Ndlovu from Earthlife Africa, addressing the women in attendance.
The Role of Women in Biodiversity and Climate Resilience
The seminar sessions highlighted diverse ways in which women are taking charge in protecting biodiversity and fostering climate resilience. At the grassroots level, participants explored sustainable farming techniques like hydroponics and shared experiences on community-driven conservation practices. These women, many of whom manage local natural resources like water and agricultural land, play an indispensable role in conservation efforts, utilizing invaluable traditional knowledge about biodiversity.
Yet, as these sessions emphasized, women still face significant obstacles. From limited access to land and resources to a lack of representation in decision-making, the barriers are real. Despite this, the women participating in Earthlife’s seminars are building skills in areas like infrastructure maintenance and repair, equipping themselves to overcome these challenges and take ownership of their environmental efforts.
Training for the Future: Wonderbag Making and Economic Empowerment
Among the seminars’ many highlights was a practical training session in Musina on crafting Wonderbags – a heat-retention cooking device that saves energy and reduces the need for traditional fuel sources. This workshop not only equipped women with valuable skills but also opened avenues for economic empowerment, as participants can now consider Wonderbag production as a local enterprise. Initiatives like this show how the just transition can unlock new entrepreneurial opportunities for women in previously marginalised areas.
Makoma Lekalakala awarding activist of the year crown to Mme Martha Mokate from Soweto Electricity Crisis Committee
Celebrating Change-Makers: Activist of the Year Award
Earthlife Africa’s Women Seminars are also a celebration of exceptional women driving environmental and social justice. This year, four dedicated activists – hailing from Gauteng, Lephalale, Thohoyandou/Venda in Limpopo, and Zwide/Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape – were honoured with the Activist of the Year award. These inspiring women have made significant strides in raising awareness about environmental justice in their communities, ensuring that women’s voices are at the heart of the movement for sustainable change.
Driving Dialogue: Key Topics at the Forefront of the Just Transition
Each seminar session offered valuable insights into how women can lead and shape the just transition. Here are some of the core topics discussed this year:
- Just Transition Financing Mechanisms – Led by the Presidential Climate Commission, this session explored financing opportunities to empower women leaders in the transition to a low-carbon economy, linking financing models to gender equity in policy.
- Inclusive and Just Society – An in-depth exploration of what it means to create an equitable society where gender justice is integral to every decision.
- Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation – This discussion connected climate resilience and gender policy, highlighting how women’s inclusion in these processes is essential for effective adaptation strategies.
- Renewable Energy & Indigenous Knowledge – A panel discussion examined how indigenous knowledge, particularly that of women, can be integrated into renewable energy initiatives to ensure more sustainable practices.
- Economic Zones and Gender Dynamics – An analysis of gender policies in special economic zones like Musina Makhado, which are playing a growing role in local economies.
A Vision for a Gender-Just Transition
The seminars underscore Earthlife Africa’s commitment to fostering a just transition that is as inclusive as it is sustainable. By holding space for women to share knowledge, voice challenges, and envision change, these seminars provide a powerful platform for advocacy, skill-building, and leadership development. Women’s Month may come once a year, but Earthlife Africa’s commitment to gender justice continues year-round, driving the vision of a sustainable future where all women feel empowered to lead.
Join Us in Celebrating Women’s Leadership
The Earthlife Africa Women Seminars are more than an event—they are a movement toward justice, equality, and empowerment. Join us in amplifying the voices of women and celebrate those who are paving the way for a sustainable and inclusive future.
For more about Earthlife Africa Johannesburg, check out the website www.earthlife.org.za or follow the socials: Facebook and Twitter.