Women affected by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project have been urged to rise up and boldly participate in efforts to mitigate climate change in the wake of oil developments.
During their engagement held at Kyakatemba Church of Uganda (COU) in Kyakatemba village, Kiziramfumbi Sub-county in Kikuube district, the women were urged to plant trees and avoid irresponsible disposal of plastic waste.
The Executive Director (ED) Women for Green Economy Movement Uganda (WOGEM), Ms Irene Twongirwe, said that oil projects and all oil and gas-induced developments have already increased environmental degradation.
“By clearing the vegetation to pave the way for infrastructural developments like roads, the pipelines and airport, means that they contribute to climate change and its effects,” she said.
The ED added that other contributors to climate change include poor disposal of plastic bottles and other non-biodegradable materials that lead to soil fertility degradation and water pollution.
Ms Twongirwe reminded women that by cutting trees for firewood on a daily basis, they contribute to climate change and therefore, they should also be actively promoting climate justice.
On the other hand, she urged women to embrace basket weaving to reduce the use of polythene bags in carrying items and also make briquettes to reduce tree cutting.
On livelihoods and environment, Ms Twongiirwe called upon women to plant fruit trees like jack fruits and mangoes among others to improve food security, earn money and also conserve the environment.
A few months back, WOGEM supported a group of women from Kijumba Basket Weaving Project of Kabaale sub-county in Hoima district which is aimed at building income sustainability.
“We saw it very important to give such projects to women, because we see women can be in a position to save, buy small things in their houses without relying on their husbands.” She said.
Ms Rachael Tugume, a resident of Kijumba village in Hoima district, noted that women need more sensitisation campaigns to improve their awareness on income generating activities and their role in environmental conservation.
She also urged different stakeholders to ensure that women not only participate in climate justice action at grassroots level but also at decision making level.
Ms Comfort Aganyira, a feminist from Hoima district, said that women affected by oil projects need financial support to broaden their small-scale projects.
“By improving their income generating activities, it will enable women to adapt to clean energies instead of harassing forests,” she said.
The women also called upon the government and other stakeholders to consider improving accessibility to solar energy to minimize the risk of using candles and other fossil fuels and wood.
Ms Robbinah Businge, resident of Kyakatemba village, said that agricultural harvests have been dwindling due to weather unpredictability and soil infertility due to increased degradation.
