The Women Leadership Training on Disasters and Climate Action, held in Windhoek, Namibia
Our landscapes are being scarred by weather, climate and water-related disasters. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of natural hazards, impacting people around the globe, especially women who are 14 times more likely to lose their lives in such events. Urgent and comprehensive solutions are needed, especially to address systemic gender inequalities that often exacerbate the challenges women face during crises. To bridge this gap, the Women Leadership Training on Disasters and Climate Action, held in Windhoek, Namibia, on 25 October 2024, brought together experts from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), civil society and women's led organizations from across Africa to empower them to join efforts to build sustainable resilience to disaster risks and climate impacts.
The leadership capacities of women are frequently underrecognized and underutilized due to social and economic barriers, however, it is critical in disaster risk reduction, recovery, and community resilience. As first responders, community advocates, and leaders, women often mobilize support and provide local insights during crises. The training aimed to help participants - men and women - to fulfil their potential to lead and to contribute to resilience efforts.
The training primarily focused on building the confidence and authority required to embrace leadership roles and to act as agents of change and advocates for inclusion. Underlying inequalities were addressed while maintaining a focus on four core areas: developing leadership skills, increasing women's representation in disaster and climate decision-making processes, enhancing participants' knowledge of climate science and gender-responsive disaster strategies, and fostering a network of women leaders to support one another in climate and disaster resilience efforts.
Participants explored disaster risk reduction and management strategies, from preparedness to recovery, with a strong emphasis on integrating gender perspectives at each stage. The training on climate change impacts and resilience-building techniques was geared to help participants to understand sector-specific challenges and adaptive strategies relevant to their communities. Participants were equipped to communicate effectively and to negotiate and advocate for policies that reflect their needs in national, regional and global discussions on climate action. Practical sessions on community engagement and mobilization offered participants tools for working with vulnerable groups in disaster preparedness and climate resilience initiatives.
This dynamic approach allowed participants to apply theoretical knowledge directly to their contexts, making the training both practical and impactful. More importantly, the participants joined a growing network of empowered leaders committed to sharing resources and knowledge and to lending support in addressing climate and disaster challenges. In the future, they will be connected to women-led organizations across Africa. This diverse group included scientists and technical staff, all dedicated to advancing disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, and climate adaptation in their respective countries.
The facilitation team from WMO and UN Women - experts in climate science, gender equality, and women's empowerment - guided participants through the sessions, which fostered a collaborative learning environment that emphasized practical application and peer-to-peer support. This approach ensured that participants could immediately relate the training content to their own professional contexts, preparing them to advocate for gender-equal programming in disaster management and climate resilience initiatives back home.
The Women Leadership Training on Disasters and Climate Action strengthens the role of women in disaster and climate action and underscores the vital link between gender equality and sustainable development. The insights, skills, and networks gained through this initiative will empower women to become voices of resilience in their communities and to advocate for more inclusive climate policies at the regional and global scales. The participation of both men and women in such training fosters active group discussions that encompassed diverse perspectives.
The training was held in the margins of the Africa Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Africa Multi-Stakeholder Forum of Early Warnings for All, with support from WMO and UN Women, and funding from the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS).
