Bridging Climate, Gender, and Water Access in Rural Ghana
- frontlineclimateac
- Jun 10
- 2 min read
As a climate advocate and mentor with Frontline for Climate Action, I believe it is time to address a pressing issue that lies at the heart of both environmental justice and gender equality: the intersection of climate-induced gender disparities and access to water resources in rural Ghana.
With a background in community development, peacebuilding, and women’s empowerment, I’ve seen firsthand how women and girls bear the brunt of water scarcity and climate impacts. In many rural communities, the burden of fetching water—often from distant or unsafe sources—falls squarely on their shoulders. As climate change disrupts rainfall patterns and dries up local sources, this burden deepens, threatening both well-being and opportunity.
That is why I am championing an initiative that integrates climate advocacy with WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), targeting both environmental resilience and gender empowerment. Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this project will:
Train women and girls in sustainable water management techniques,
Educate communities on climate adaptation strategies, and
Advocate for equitable water access policies that recognize and address the unique challenges women face due to climate change.
The work will begin with local gender-sensitive assessments to identify the specific barriers to water access in different communities. Based on these insights, I will lead a series of community workshops, stakeholder dialogues, and grassroots actions, including the promotion of low-tech water conservation solutions and hygiene awareness campaigns. Central to the initiative is women’s leadership—ensuring women are not only participants but decision-makers in building climate-resilient communities.
Through my work with Frontline for Climate Action, I am actively seeking support and partnerships to bring this vision to life. We must invest in solutions that tackle both climate and gender injustices—and we must do it now.
Let’s build a future where water is a right, not a burden. Join us. Support us.
By Justine Akpene Egbenya, Climate Advocate and Mentor, Frontline for Climate Action
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