The Women’s Assembly recently hosted a Feminist Climate Change and Agroecology School, a platform designed to empower rural women with knowledge and practical skills to better understand the vital relationship between women and nature. The initiative seeks to highlight the important role women play in environmental stewardship, sustainable agriculture, and climate change adaptation, particularly in rural communities where they are often at the frontline of food production and natural resource management.

Speaking at the event, Esmey Mckay, the Hardap Regional Coordinator of the Namibia Rural Women Assembly, emphasized the importance of equipping women with tools to respond to the challenges brought about by climate change while promoting food sovereignty and ecological sustainability. She noted that women’s voices are too often left out of critical environmental discussions, despite being directly affected by droughts, land degradation, and shifting weather patterns.

Adding to this, Agnes Tengovandu Tjindjo-Tjimbundu, the Erongo Regional Coordinator, shared insights on how feminist approaches to agroecology can transform communities. She stressed that empowering women with knowledge about sustainable farming practices and natural resource management not only strengthens food systems but also builds resilience in the face of climate shocks.

The school created a space for rural women to exchange experiences, learn from one another, and strategize on how to collectively address environmental and social challenges. It reaffirmed the Women’s Assembly’s commitment to ensuring that women remain central to shaping solutions for a sustainable future.