As the world celebrated the International Woman’s Day 2022, Action pour la Protection de l’Environnement et la Promotion des Filieres Agricoles (APEFA) has donated 100 improved cook stoves to vulnerable families in Gakenke District, Northern Province of Rwanda.
The International Women’s day 2022 on a national level, was celebrated in Gakenke District, Nemba Sector. The celebrations were officiated by the Minister of Environment, Dr. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya who was the chief guest at the event.
The International Women’s day 2022 was celebrated under the theme “Gender equality to address climate change” as the world recognized the contribution of women around the world on the forefront leading the change for a more sustainable and climate-resilient future for all.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Dr. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya said that when disasters due to climate change hit, women and girls lives and livelihoods are the worst affected.
She highlighted the relation between the climate change mitigation and gender equality.
“Gender equality and climate change mitigation relate a lot. I call upon men to support women in climate change mitigation. Buy improved cook stoves for them instead of cutting trees for firewood. Sewerages due to water flowing from house roofs which result into erosion can be replaced water tanks,” Dr. Mujawamariya explained.
APEFA- member of Rwanda Environmental NGO’s Forum (RENGOF)- with proven expertise in actions related to climate change mitigation and adaptation and environment protection generally, had answered to the call earlier already.
On this day, APEFA joined others to support residents of Gakenke District that was, few years ago, hit by climate change and claimed dozens lives of people, destroyed crops and properties and killed thousands of livestock among many other losses.
In this line, APEFA donated 100 improved cook stoves to needy families in the District.
The 100 stoves are worth two million five hundred thousand Rwandan francs (Rwf2500.00) in addition to 50 donated by other NGOs members of RENGOF.
APEFA’s Executive Director, Oscar NZABONIMPA doubling as Chairman of RENGOF said the idea to give stoves to poor families is because they help in forests conservation by reducing fire wood consumption, reduction in women’s’ drudgery, reducing indoor air pollution and hence smoke-related health disorders, and prevention of fire hazards among other climate change mitigation benefits.
He said APEFA will keep doing more activities related to climate change mitigation as it has always done in the past.
