Leveraging Gender Inclusion and Partnerships in Reducing the Impacts of Climate Change in Northern Nigeria

Millions of people are in danger of climatic and natural disasters because Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa, is among the top ten most vulnerable to climate change. The impacts of climate change have resulted in a food crisis, the conflict between herders and farmers, violence against women and girls, and other negative issues. This study examines leveraging gender inclusion and partnerships to reduce the impacts of climate change in Northern Nigeria. Literature and reports indicate that the Northern region of Nigeria has the most vulnerabilities to climate change as the region experiences high levels of desertification, heat waves, and poor and extreme rainfalls. Meanwhile, building a common gender inclusion will accelerate the reduction of the impacts of climate change in the region. This study adopted the qualitative research method whereby data are sourced from the consultation of literature, articles, government reports, and the Internet. Findings from the study indicated that the national government policy will be successfully implemented when there is gender inclusion and partnership. However, challenges have impeded the inclusion of women and localization in implementing climate change policy in Nigeria. The study concludes and recommends that national policy on adaptation programming that is targeted at being gender-responsive, inclusive, and aware of the connections with other development agendas should be incorporated in reducing the impacts of climate change in Northern Nigeria.