A new scientific report has highlighted the disproportionate impact of land degradation and drought on women and children in Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizing their role at the forefront of environmental challenges in the region.
The report, produced under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Johan Rockström of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) in collaboration with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), was unveiled as nearly 200 UNCCD member states commence the COP16 summit on Monday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
It serves as a critical reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive action to combat the far-reaching consequences of land degradation and drought, particularly in regions that are most vulnerable to these challenges.
According to the findings, women, youth, Indigenous peoples, and local communities bear the brunt of environmental decline.
It says women, in particular, face increased workloads and heightened health risks, while children endure malnutrition and setbacks in education due to the cascading effects of environmental degradation.
The report warns that urgent reforms in food production and land use are needed to prevent irreversible damage to the planet’s capacity to sustain both human and environmental well-being.
Disproportionate Impacts
The study notes that tropical and low-income countries are disproportionately affected by land degradation.
These regions, particularly in tropical and arid areas, have limited resilience to environmental shocks.
Findings from the Prindex initiative reveal that nearly one billion people globally lack secure land tenure, with the highest rates recorded in North Africa (28%), Sub-Saharan Africa (26%), and South and Southeast Asia.
This insecurity undermines efforts to promote sustainable land-use practices, as people fear losing their homes or lands.
Harmful Subsidies and Mismanagement
The report criticizes agricultural subsidies, which often encourage unsustainable practices.
Between 2013 and 2018, more than $500 billion was spent on subsidies across 88 countries, according to a 2021 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Alarmingly, nearly 90% of these subsidies supported inefficient and environmentally damaging practices, further exacerbating water overuse and ecological imbalances.
The report underscores the need to align agricultural subsidies with sustainability goals to ensure effective land management and environmental protection.
A Call to Action
As the COP16 summit begins, the report calls for a collective global effort to mitigate the impacts of land degradation and ensure the protection of vulnerable populations, particularly women and children.
It urges governments, civil society, and development partners to prioritize sustainable land-use practices and align subsidies with environmental objectives.
By Dare Akogun
