EHF Reaffirms Commitment to Gender Justice and Climate Action on International Women’s Day 2025
As the world marks International Women’s Day 2025, the Ecosteward and Humanitarian Foundation (EHF) has reiterated its strong stance against the social, political, environmental, sexual, and economic oppression that women continue to face globally.
The environmental rights non-profit emphasized that these systemic barriers are interconnected, requiring coordinated global efforts to dismantle them and ensure justice, equality, and sustainable development for women.
According to Idiang Magdalene, EHF’s gender justice specialist, women play a pivotal role in climate solutions—whether as farmers, scientists, activists, or policymakers—but systemic inequalities often hinder their full participation.
“These challenges, including limited access to financing, exclusion from policymaking, and deeply rooted patriarchal structures, not only threaten gender equity but also expose millions of women to climate-related risks,” Magdalene warned.
She stressed that without urgent intervention, these issues would worsen poverty, instability, and reverse hard-won gains in gender equality.
Having worked extensively across Africa, Magdalene highlighted how women—despite contributing the least to environmental crises—bear the brunt of their impacts. However, he noted that many still lead in implementing alternative, sustainable solutions in their communities.
“These women develop and champion sustainable production models, advocate for eco-friendly policies, and nurture community-based resource management, standing in direct opposition to the exploitative, extractive economy,” he stated in a press release.
Echoing this sentiment, Margaret Bartholomew, an EHF environmental expert, underscored the critical role of women in driving sustainability. She highlighted their leadership in renewable energy, agriculture, and policy innovation, particularly in rural communities.
“Women are leading community-controlled renewable energy projects that pave the way for a fossil fuel-free future,” Bartholomew said.
She linked this year’s International Women’s Day theme, ‘Accelerate Actions,’ to the urgent need for gender-responsive policies that empower women with access to land, credit, seeds, and agricultural tools—key drivers of food security and rural development.
Francisca Edeh, another advocate at EHF, called for women’s rights, capacity building, and digital inclusion to be prioritized, ensuring that they can combat misinformation and amplify their voices in climate debates.
“Women-led climate projects need adequate funding and institutional support, with women’s voices placed at the center of decision-making—not pushed to the margins,” she stressed.
EHF reaffirmed that its mission is rooted in solidarity, justice, and sustainability, with a commitment to dismantling oppressive structures and creating a future where women lead the charge for environmental and social transformation.
