An Overview of the Impacts of Gender-Responsive Climate Education in Africa

Abstract

Climate change is reshaping Africa in profound and multifaceted ways, from recurrent droughts in the Horn of Africa to rising sea levels threatening coastal communities in West Africa. These disruptions extend beyond ecological degradation, intensifying social inequalities and disproportionately burdening girls. Malala Fund’s report on A Greener, Fairer Future: Why Leaders Need to Invest in Climate and Girls' Education, estimated that in 2021 climate-related events prevented at least four million girls in low- and lower-middle-income countries from completing their education. If the trend continues, climate change would be a contributing factor in preventing at least 12.5 million girls from completing their education each year across 30 climate-vulnerable countries. Twenty-two of these countries were in Africa. Within this context, education emerges not merely as a vehicle for awareness but as a strategic instrument for cultivating resilience, leadership and inclusive climate solutions. This paper interrogates the nexus between gender-responsive climate education and nurtured leadership in Africa, situating its analysis within continental policy frameworks and grassroots initiatives. The study employs a qualitative research design that integrates document analysis and case studies. Document analysis focused on three key frameworks: the African Union Strategy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (AU-GEWE Strategy 2018–2028), the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 16–25) and Agenda 2063. Findings reveal that while climate education is increasingly embedded within African educational systems, many programs remain narrowly scientific, limiting their contextual relevance. ESD frameworks, integrated in primary and secondary schools located in Kenya and Ghana mostly, encourage learners to connect global sustainability imperatives with community-based action, fostering civic engagement and community participation in sustainable development geared towards addressing climate change. Climate education must also be gender-responsive, given the disproportionate vulnerabilities faced by women and girls including heightened risks of school dropout, displacement and resource scarcity during environmental crises. Despite these challenges, women across Africa are spearheading grassroots adaptation efforts, managing natural resources and advocating for environmental justice. Gender-responsive education amplifies these contributions by cultivating inclusive learning environments and leadership pathways. Case studies illustrate the transformative potential of targeted interventions. The Future Female Leaders in Energy – Africa program, launched in 2023, has trained over 300 young women from more than 10 African countries in clean energy and climate advocacy, with alumni founding startups and influencing national policy. Green Girls Platform (GGP) is a non-profit young women-led organization that works with girls and young women aged 8-35 to address the unique challenges that they face due to climate change in Malawi. The Mastercard Foundation’s Climate Impact Challenge Fund has supported SMEs majority of which were filled by women and youth. Global initiatives such as the IAEA Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme have further expanded opportunities, sponsoring African women to pursue postgraduate studies in nuclear science and clean energy, thereby strengthening the pipeline of female climate leaders. This paper calls upon educators, policymakers and development partners to prioritize investment in gender-responsive climate education, recognizing that sustainable solutions will be shaped by diverse voices, particularly those that have been historically marginalized.