By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
African ecofeminists, during a gathering in Harare on Wednesday, have advocated for a just, feminist, and people-centred energy transition aimed at safeguarding communities, women’s rights, and the environment.
The convening, organised by the SHINE Collab under the theme, “Building Ecofeminist Futures Beyond Extractivism and Transition Mineral Frontiers,” comes at a pivotal time as Africa increasingly becomes the focal point for the global demand for transition minerals, including lithium, cobalt, graphite, copper, nickel, and rare earth elements, which are vital for the clean energy economy.
While acknowledging the significance of renewable energy in tackling the climate crisis, participants cautioned that the transition must not mirror the existing systems of exploitation, dispossession, and environmental degradation that have historically defined extractive industries across the continent.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of SHINE Collab, Dr. Melania Chiponda, stated, “A truly just energy transition cannot be achieved if it is built on the continued exploitation of African communities, ecosystems, and women’s labour. Climate action must place justice, dignity, ecological integrity, and community wellbeing at its centre.”
SHINE Collab is a global feminist movement comprising Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), grassroots community-based organisations, and faith-based groups.
During the first day of the week-long event, participants examined the realities of mining, climate governance, energy transition, and the role of women in defending land, livelihoods, and natural resources.
Experiences shared by delegates from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, and other African nations highlighted a recurring pattern of environmental degradation, pollution, land dispossession, inadequate compensation, shrinking civic space, and a lack of accountability, despite the vast wealth generated from mineral resources.
