By Obiabin Onukwugha
Women stakeholders have called on the federal and state governments of Nigeria to integrate gender-responsive climate strategies and fund community-based climate actions led by women to solve climate change and environmental pollution issues in the country.
They also demanded that oil and gas companies operating in the Niger Delta should take responsibility for environmental degradation and compensate affected women and communities, especially, Otuabagi women (where research has revealed that all the women tested had hydrocarbon in their blood).
The women drawn from the Niger Delta, the middle-belt, western, eastern, and the northern region of Nigeria, and Amazonian Forest Community Women, Brazil, made the call in a communique issued at the end of a three-day Nigeria Women’s Climate Assembly, which held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, 28-30th October, under the theme: “Promoting Women’s Critical Role in Climate Mitigation Initiatives”
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, October 28-30, 2025.”
The Assembly emphasised that Niger Delta women should reimagine the planet as a core responsibility, share insight, build solidarity beyond organizational level and network to shape the change we want.
The event, which was convened by Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, had women of the Niger Delta, the middle-belt, western, eastern, and the northern region of Nigeria, Amazonian Forest Community Women, Brazil, representing grassroots communities, fisher folks, farmers, from Brazil, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Bayelsa, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Rivers States, Benue, the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, and civil society organizations, and the Media in attendance.
During the three-day event, the women reflected on old, new and emerging climate change challenges and their impacts, recognizing women’s role as custodians of the environment, defenders of life, and key actors in building a sustainable Niger Delta and the world at large.
Present also were a delegation from Brazil’s Amazonian a representative of the Embassy of the Netherlands, and African Women in Extractives, WOMIN.
They acknowledged the deepening climate crisis affecting the region including recurrent floods, coastal sea rise, erosion, decreasing farmlands, shrinking yields, and polluted waterways, consequences worsened by decades of unregulated oil extraction, gas flaring, unregulated deforestation, and the resultant environmental neglect.
Despite these challenges, Niger Delta women have continued to hold their families and communities together, struggling to restore the land, protect the mangroves, and advocating for justice. We reaffirm our commitment to advancing gender-responsive climate action that ensures equity, inclusion, and sustainability for all, driving this trans-national collaboration to tackle the impact of climate change, and strategize on best practices.
The Assembly noted that women are the architects of the environment, family and society, and so are in a vantage position to solve the climate change problems, and are integral to both climate change mitigation and adaptation demands.
“Without women the world cannot resolve problems which underpin environment. And the experiences of women in the extractive countries are the same despite the distance. Women are at the heart of Climate Solutions, from the creeks to the farmlands, and are already leading community-based actions, planting trees, restoring mangroves, managing waste, and promoting clean energy,” the communique read.
It said, the destruction of the environment is directly tied to the oppression of women and without justice for women, there can be no climate justice.
The Assembly pointed out that real solutions must come from the people most affected, especially grassroots women, and not imposed from the top. It said women are not victims of climate change but, are visionaries, leaders of climate solutions whose knowledge, voice and actions are vital for the future of the environment.
“Niger Delta women bear the direct brunt of climate change, environmental injustice, suffering from decades of oil pollution, gas flaring, land degradation, and ecological neglect, loss of livelihood and harsh health impact, without reparation.
“The climate crisis is deepening social and economic marginalization, eroding traditional livelihoods, worsening insecurity, deepening poverty among women and weakening local governance structures.
“Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, communities in the Niger Delta bear the highest cost of fossil fuel extraction with little or no compensation or accountability from responsible actors.
“The devastating impact of climate change on communities, include flooding, sea level rise, acid rain, heat waves, respiratory problems, infertility, poor and loss of livelihood.
“Women possess deep traditional knowledge, community networks, and practical experience that are essential in developing resilient ecosystems and low-carbon solutions.
“Gender Inequalities and Climate Vulnerabilities: Persistent gender gaps in access to resources, decision-making power, and finance continue to limit women’s participation in climate mitigation initiatives.
“Climate change is not only an environmental issue, but a social justice challenge that requires inclusive governance, gender equity, and collective leadership,” the communique observed.
The communique signed by Representatives of Niger Delta Women,
Women’s Climate Assembly (WCA)
Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, Amazonian Women of Brazil, rejected; “The sacrifice of our minerals, forests, and communities on the altar of profit and extractivism.
“Mining crimes, to the deadly tailings of dams, and to waste piles that devastate our ecosystems and the bodies of women and children.
‘The resumption of oil extraction in Ogoni and to continued pollution across the Niger Delta.
“The destruction of our rivers, wetlands, forests, and oceans in the name of false development.
“The corporate capture of climate negotiations that silence grassroots women’s voices and erase community wisdom.
“The militarization of our lands and the intimidation of environmental defenders who dare to say no to destruction.
The sacrifice of our minerals, forests, and communities on the altar of profit and extractivism.”
The communique called for “feminist climate justice, which centres the wisdom, labour, and leadership of women in reimagining sustainable futures, agroecology, food sovereignty, and indigenous knowledge systems that restore the land and feed our people without destroying our planet, intentional mainstreaming of PWDs into environment/climate change and gender policies, community led energy transitions, where women have power not only in their homes but in decision making spaces, solidarity between women of the Niger Delta and the Amazon, bound by shared struggles and collective strength, clean water, clean air, and healthy soil for every child, and as well, reparations from corporations and countries that have plundered our lands and stolen our futures.”
“Government should halt consenting to false climate change solutions that do not address the challenges of the people.
Government should regulate and enforce policies to halt indiscriminate logging, promote reforestation, and shore protection, including the construction of embankments to safeguard coastal zones from massive sea rise and erosion
Governments at federal, state, and local levels must ensure full inclusion of women including PWDs, into climate change decision-making processes, policies, and budgeting. Women’s priorities must shape the implementation of the National Climate Change Act and Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan.
“Government and stakeholder agencies/organizations to create direct and accessible funding for women-led climate initiatives such as renewable energy, mangrove restoration, reforestation, and waste recycling. Recognize and support community women’s cooperatives engaged in sustainable livelihoods that reduce carbon emissions.
“The Nigerian government and her regulatory agencies must ensure oil companies end gas flaring, stop and clean-up oil spills, and other pollution destroying our environment and worsening climate change. Pursue a just and inclusive energy transition that puts people and planet before profit, ensuring communities benefit from renewable energy opportunities.
“The capacity of Niger Delta women to be built through climate education, advocacy, and environmental monitoring and networking. The Women’s Climate Assembly should be strengthened as a platform for collective action, peer learning, and policy engagement,” the communique further read.
It emphasised the need to promote the collection of gender-disaggregated data on climate impacts and community mitigation efforts.
It said, African women should resurrect the communal life of old and dump insular life, reclaim local environmental knowledge and merge it with good modern practices to help the environment heal; make their voices heard and demand accountability from political leaders.
To help restore the environment and reduce climate change effects, the Assembly noted that all hands must be on deck through adoption of environment friendly practices, responsible and efficient waste disposal and management that keeps the drains free, turns waste to wealth.
“The Women’s Climate, reaffirms that women are not victims of climate change, but vital leaders of its solutions; pledge to continue to protect our environment and communities, in trust for our coming generations, and stand united in our resolution to advance climate justice, equity, and sustainability.
“We resolve to join hands in solidarity with our sisters across the shores to push for a healthy Mother Earth shouting out to the world in the words of Prof Emeshe Engobo, that, “Women are not victims of climate change, we are leaders of climate solutions,” the communique added.