Interfacing Gender, Religion, Food Security and Climate Change in Africa: An African Ecofeminist Perspective

Climate change represents one of the most challenging threats to sustainable development in Africa where over 70% of the people derive their livelihoods from agriculture. The interactions of food security and climate change are affected by a wide range of factors including religion. Women play a vital role in food security hence the agency of rural female farmers is essential for enhancing agricultural productivity and realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including ensuring food security (SDG 2) and addressing the perils of climate change (SDG 13). Despite significant strides in addressing gender inequalities in most African countries, rural women are still among the most marginalized groups in society and are particularly vulnerable to current and future climate change and food insecurity. This chapter argues that climate change is dramatically altering the planet and affecting human livelihoods in ways that elicit religious responses. The overarching question which this chapter grapples with is: “How can religion in Africa be a resource to counter climate change and its effects (SDG 13), achieve zero hunger, no poverty and promote food security in order to meet the goal of SDGs 1 and 2 and ensure gender equality (SDG 5)”? This chapter employs literature review to provide a comprehensive overview of literature related to the main themes. The chapter is also positioned within the ecofeminist approach to climate change to ensure women and girls’ equal access to justice and the enactment of inclusive and effective climate laws and policies.