The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has reaffirmed its strong commitment to empowering women, focusing on securing their land ownership rights and bolstering their leadership in addressing climate change.
This pledge comes as IGAD concluded a crucial regional consultation in Nairobi, Kenya, which ran from July 9 to 11, 2025. The discussions centered on the vital links between gender, land, and building resilience to climate change.
The gathering brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including women parliamentarians, policymakers, human rights advocates, technical experts, and development partners. It served as a unique platform, uniting organizations dedicated to promoting gender equality, effective land governance, and climate change adaptation.
Key discussions aimed at crafting comprehensive policies and strengthening regional cooperation to safeguard land rights and ensure that climate change responses are inclusive of women.
Mohammed Abdi Ware, IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary, highlighted the consultation's success in establishing a clear stance on increasing women's involvement in both land ownership and climate action. He acknowledged that despite women's crucial contributions to land development, agriculture, and community well-being across the region, they frequently encounter obstacles when it comes to land ownership and decision-making power.
Ware underscored that empowering women is fundamental for achieving justice, equality, and sustainable development. A significant outcome of the talks was the development of a regional framework and policy document specifically designed for women parliamentarians. These operational frameworks, he explained, demonstrate a strong political commitment and will enable practical solutions for land rights and resilient climate change capacity.
He urged member countries to integrate these regional frameworks into their national plans and to align their work with regional operational systems. Emphasizing the role of parliamentarians as "engineers of change," Ware called upon them to actively champion women's land ownership and their leading role in climate change responses.
This commitment from IGAD to ensuring women's land rights and enhancing their pivotal role in climate change resilience building was confirmed, according to the information ENA obtained.
This Nairobi consultation marks the culmination of a series of regional dialogues previously held by IGAD in Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda.