SIDA invests US$ 4.1bln to empower rural women in fight against climate change
ADJUMANI, February 17, 2025 — The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency [SIDA] has allocated US$ 1.12 million [about Shs 4.1 billion] to support a project aimed at addressing inequalities in food systems, tackling climate change, and promoting responsible land governance.
The initiative, named “Cultivating Change in a Warming World”, will be implemented over five years in the districts of Adjumani, Amuria, Apac, and Soroti, targeting more than 4,000 small-scale farmers.
The Eastern and Southern African Farmers Forum [ESAFF] Uganda, in collaboration with Oxfam Uganda and a consortium of partners, including Participatory Ecological Land Use Management Uganda, Integrated Development Initiatives [CIDI], Climate Action Network Uganda, and the Women’s Land Rights Movement, will spearhead the project. The goal is to empower rural women and their communities, equipping them with the tools to thrive in a fair, green, equal, and safe environment.
Project objectives and expected impact
Ronald Bagaga, Research and Policy Officer at ESAFF, confirmed that the initiative will focus on strengthening the role of rural women in food production, climate change adaptation, and sustainable land management.
“The project aims to ensure that rural women and their communities become proactive agents of change. We expect to see them adopt agroecological practices, cultivate diverse crops, take the lead in managing biodiversity and ecosystems, and build resilience against climate change,” Bagaga explained.
Voices from the community
Local farmers have welcomed the project, expressing optimism about its potential benefits. Ms. Josephine Masudio, a farmer in Adjumani, highlighted the challenges rural women face due to climate change and land access restrictions.
“We are grateful for this support. Every year, we struggle with harsh climate effects, and as women, we suffer the most because our community often denies us access to land,” Masudio stated.
Andrew Ocen James, Chief Administrative Officer of Adjumani District, acknowledged that while natural disasters cannot be entirely prevented, mitigation efforts can help reduce their impact.
“Our natural resources department, with the support of this project, will work to lessen the effects of climate change, including floods, droughts, and extreme temperatures. We appreciate that this initiative focuses on rural women, who play a key role in ensuring food security,” Ocen said.
District strategies for climate resilience
Charles Giyaya, Adjumani District Natural Resources Officer, emphasised that the district has already developed strategies to combat climate-related challenges.
“We have established a district adaptation plan and an environmental action plan to address climate challenges. With this support from our partners, we will further strengthen women’s empowerment in climate resilience,” Giyaya noted.
Background and broader impact
The Cultivating Change in a Warming World project builds on Oxfam and ESAFF Uganda’s extensive experience in working with rural communities. It contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs], including:
- Zero Hunger [SDG 2] – Enhancing food security through sustainable agriculture.
- Gender Equality [SDG 5] – Empowering women by promoting land rights and economic participation.
- Decent Work and Economic Growth [SDG 8] – Protecting labour rights and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
- Responsible Consumption and Production [SDG 12] – Encouraging sustainable farming practices.
- Climate Action [SDG 13] – Strengthening community adaptation and mitigation strategies.
- Life on Land [SDG 15] – Promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable land use.
With this funding, SIDA and its partners aim to create a lasting impact by equipping rural women with the skills, resources, and knowledge needed to combat climate change and improve their livelihoods.
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