New action plan targets gender gaps worsened by climate crisis

National Gender Sector Working Group (GSWG) led by Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Gender, Culture, The Arts and Heritage, Hanna Wendot Cheptumo and Principal Secretary of the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action, Anne Wang'ombe during the launch of the National Gender and Climate Change Action Plan (NGCCAP) on June 5, 2025. [Photo/Ryan Kerubo] Climate change is making life even harder for women, girls and marginalised communities, especially in poor and rural areas. When droughts or floods strike, it is often women who walk longer distances to fetch water, lose their crops and small businesses, or stay home to care for sick family members. This pressure increases poverty, stress and even the risk of violence at home. Women also take on the biggest share of unpaid care work like cooking, cleaning and looking after children, leaving them with little time or support to earn money or go to school. This mix of challenges makes women and girls more vulnerable. They are more likely to suffer during crises and less likely to recover quickly. Gender-based violence (GBV), like domestic abuse and femicide, is part of this bigger problem. And now, the government through the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage has launched a new plan to help protect vulnerable groups from the combined effects of gender inequality and climate change. The National Gender and Climate Change Action Plan (NGCCAP) has come up with a detailed report that shows the areas most at risk, known as gender-climate hot spots. Speaking during the second bi-annual National Gender Sector Working Group (GSWG), Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage, Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, said the plan is an important step. "Climate change is a reality that continues to adversely affect humanity, particularly the vulnerable," she said. "Mainstreaming gender into climate action is non-negotiable." The new plan, NGCCAP will help government and partners work together, focus on the most affected areas and direct funding to where it's needed most. It also sets up a new team to focus on climate, gender and disaster response. Cheptumo also shared updates on two upcoming policies. The National Policy on Women Economic Empowerment will support women to take part in the economy, while the National Care Policy will officially recognise the value of unpaid care work. "This policy will shift women from the periphery to the mainstream of economic decision-making," Cheptumo said. Nancy Baraza, Chair of the Presidential Technical Working Group on GBV and Femicide Taskforce, said Kenyans are tired of the rising cases of violence. "Femicide is different from homicide. It must be treated as such," she said, adding that 60 per cent of femicide cases happen at home and often go unreported until it's too late. "Persistent gender discrimination creeps into our homes, leading to tragic outcomes."Baraza also noted the widespread sexual violence against children, including boys, highlighting the urgency of addressing abuse in private spaces. Beyond violence, economic disempowerment, inadequate care infrastructure and cultural discrimination continue to widen the gender gap. Principal Secretary of the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action, Anne Wang'ombe noted that even though resources are tight, the government must not lose focus. "We must rethink our strategies and be open-minded. These issues are about me and you," Wang'ombe said. Kenya is marking 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, and the collective message was clear: acknowledging the problem is only the first step, and urgent, united action must follow. Cheptumo emphasised the need to implement the two-thirds gender rule, calling on Parliament and partners to act. "This is why our upcoming Male Engagement and Inclusion Strategy is critical. Men must be part of transforming cultural norms that hold women back," Cheptumo said.

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