Annual Report for the AICCRA project GENDER AND CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN FOR MALI Revised version Annual Report for the AICCRA project Ogwuike Philomena Chioma, Elliott Ronald Dossou-Yovo December 2024 Annual Report for the AICCRA project II CITATION Ogwuike, P.C., Dossou-Yovo E.R. 2024. Gender and Climate change Action Plan for Mali. AICCRA Annual Report. Mali, Bamako Mali. Copyright The copyrights over this info note is jointly owned by Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical - CIAT and Africa Rice center. It is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-ND 4.0). For more information about this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses Acknowledgement Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) is a project that helps deliver a climate-smart African future driven by science and innovation in agriculture. It is led by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and supported by a grant from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank. Explore our work at aiccra.cgiar.org About AICCRA Reports Titles in this series aim to disseminate interim research on the scaling of climate services and climate-smart agriculture in Africa, in order to stimulate feedback from the scientific community. Photos © AICCRA/AfricaRice Disclaimer This working paper has not been peer reviewed. Any opinions stated herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the policies Partners Annual Report for the AICCRA project III ABOUT THE AUTHORS Ogwuike Philomena is an Agricultural Economist, impact and gender analyst /Consultant in Gender and Climate Change Action Plan in the Sustainable Productivity Enhancement Program of the AfricaRice. Elliott Ronald Dossou-Yovo works for AfricaRice as climate change scientist and is the lead of the AICCRA project in Mali. Annual Report for the AICCRA project IV Table of Contents ACRONYMS .................................................................................................................................................................. VII EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................ VIII 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background of the study....................................................................................... 1 1.2 Research Objectives ............................................................................................ 3 2.0 METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Policy Framework ................................................................................................ 5 3.0 THE CASE FOR GENDER INEQUALITY .......................................................................................................... 6 3.1 Women Situation in Mali ....................................................................................... 7 3.2 Climate Change in Mali ................................................................................... 8 3.3 Climate change and Agriculture ......................................................................... 8 3.4 Gender and Agriculture ........................................................................................ 9 3.5 Gender and Climate change ................................................................................ 11 4.0 COUNTRY OVERVIEW: THE CONTEXT FOR ADDRESSING GENDER AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN MALI .......................................................................................................................................................................... 12 4.1 Topography ...................................................................................................... 14 4.2 Agro-ecological zones 6 ...................................................................................... 15 4.3 Geo-political and historical context ....................................................................... 17 4.4 Economy .......................................................................................................... 19 5.0 IMPORTANT GENDER FRAMEWORK HYPOTHESIS ON GENDER EQUALITY AND GROWTH .... 19 5.1 Legal Framework: Mandates and Policy Related to Agriculture .................................. 20 5.2 Legal Climate Frameworks, Mandates and Policies for Advancing Gender Equality ....... 23 5.3 Identifying the challenges, responsive policies and implementing strategies and programs on gender and climate change in agriculture. ................................................ 28 6.0 STRATEGIES FOR MAINSTREAMING GENDER IN NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE PLANS ........ 30 6.1 Existing gender mainstreaming strategies in agriculture .......................................... 30 6.2 The agricultural related strategies and plans on which the GHG emissions mitigation assessments are based ............................................................................................ 32 6.3 National Adaptation Plan (NAP) development ......................................................... 32 6.4 Policy/legal frameworks ...................................................................................... 32 Annual Report for the AICCRA project V 6.5 Private Sector of Mali ......................................................................................... 33 7.0 ACTION PLAN ....................................................................................................................................................... 33 8.1 Result Findings: Outcome of Capacity Needs assessment ........................................ 33 7.1. Challenges faced by women in Mali ..................................................................... 33 7.2. Opportunities for gender mainstreaming in Mali’s agricultural process ...................... 33 7.3. Action plan for mainstreaming gender into climate change adaptation and mitigation in the agricultural sector in Mali .................................................................................... 34 8. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................. 35 Table 3. Action plan for mainstreaming gender into climate change adaptation and mitigation in the agricultural sector in Mali .............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................................ 40 Appendices ................................................................................................................................................................... 44 Appendix 1. Lists of Participants ................................................................................ 44 Annual Report for the AICCRA project VI LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Key global gender and climate change decisions ........................................................................ 24 Table 2: Other gender Relevant National policies and their objectives ................................................ 27 Table 3 : Action plan for mainstreaming gender into climate change adaptation and mitigation in the agricutlural sector in Mali ........................................................................................................................... 37 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Geographical Location of Mali ............................................................................................................ 14 Figure 2: Agro-climatic Zones in Mali ................................................................................................................ 17 Annual Report for the AICCRA project VII ACRONYMS AEDD National Agency for Sustainable Development CAHOSCC Committee of African Heads of States on Climate Change CAADP Detailed Program for the Development of Agriculture in Africa CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CBOs Community-base Organisation(s) CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women CSA Climate Smart Agriculture CSO Civil Society Organizations DCC Direction du Changement Climatique, DGD Direction de la Genre et de Développement, FCF National Adaptation Program of Action Climate change Fund GHG Green house gas GII Gender Inequality Index HDI Human Development Index IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s ITCZ Intertropical Conversion Zone IWRM Integrated Water Resources Management MAEFR Ministere de l’Agriculture, de l’Elevage et de la Peche, MOA Ministry of Agriculture NAP National Adaptation Plan NCAGF National Climate Change Gender Action Plan NGO Non-governmental Organization(s) ONAGREF National Livestock Office PNISA Agricultural Sector Investment Plan REDD Reducing Emissions from Degradation and Deforestation SGBV. Sexual and gender-based violence UNCCC United Nations Convention on Climate Change UNDP United Nations Development Program UNECA Union Commission and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa UNFCCC United Nations Convention on Climate WEDO Women’s Environment and Development Organization WPCCAA Work Program on Climate Change Action in Africa Annual Report for the AICCRA project VIII EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Mali is a landlocked, Sahelian country in West Africa. The Climate Change Vulnerability Index produced by ND-GAIN in 2023 ranked Mali as 176th of the 181 most at-risk countries in the world1. It is the 9th most vulnerable country and the 43rd least ready country to address climate change effects. Mali is ranked 155th out of the 170 countries included in the 2021 UNDP Gender Inequality Index (UNDP,2021). Mali is home to the inner delta of the Niger River that runs through nine countries in the region. The country is influenced by the Inter-Tropical Conversion Zone (ITCZ) which is, creating winds from Ocean and the winds from the Sahara region that are more dusty and warmer. The country is already experiencing the climate change impacts of droughts, floods, storms, strong winds, and increased temperature variability. These events can have a devastating impact on crop yields, livestock production, and food security. Available evidence indicates that climate change in Mali is likely to be characterized by increased local temperatures, greater rainfall variability, and more intense extreme weather events. Gender dynamics are integral to the climate change discourse in Mali, as men, women, and youth play distinctly disproportionate roles in agriculture. They also face varying degrees of challenges in accessing critical production resources such as land, water, and credit. Women, who constitute over 50% of the agricultural labor force, are primarily responsible for food production. However, gender inequality persists despite previous global, regional, and national commitments to uphold and advance women’s rights. This Action Plan seeks to address the gender dimensions of climate change within the agricultural sector and is centered around four key objectives, including: (i) increase women and youth's access to land, water, and credit. (ii) improve knowledge and skills of the various gender groups (women, men, and youths) in climate change adaptation with a determined effort to narrow down existing gender gaps among the groups. (iii) strengthen women's participation in decision-making and policymaking related to climate change. (iv) promote the use of gender-sensitive indicators to monitor and evaluate the climate change related programs. The plan is expected to have several benefits, including: I. increased food security and nutrition for women and their families. II. improved livelihoods for men, women, and youths. III. increased resilience to climate change. IV. increased gender equality in the agricultural sector. Annual Report for the AICCRA project IX The gender and climate change action plan is expected to be implemented by government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and development partners. Key Messages of the gender and climate change action plan i) It underscores the centrality of climate change in the core of agricultural development discourse emphasizing that climate change is a major threat to the agricultural sector in Mali. ii) It highlights the indispensability of women’s role who contribute disproportionately to agriculture in Mali. iii) The CCGAP for Mali is designed to address the gender dimensions of climate change within the agricultural sector, and iv) It aims to effectively communicate the principles and goals required to mainstream gender into climate change strategies and foster sustainable and inclusive outcomes. The following recommendations, derived from the CCGAP intends to ensure an adequate gender mainstreaming into climate change action and mitigation programs of the agricultural sector and are summarized below. • Strengthen Institutional Support: Enhance coordination between governmental agencies, NGOs, and development partners to ensure effective implementation of the CCGAP. Establish dedicated gender units within relevant institutions to monitor progress. • Promote Inclusive Policies: Advocate for legal reforms to ensure women’s equitable access to land, water, and credit. Integrate gender-sensitive indicators in national policies and programs. • Capacity Building: Provide targeted training on climate-smart agriculture and resource management for women and youth, ensuring equitable access to extension services and information. • Community Engagement: Organize regular farmers’ field days and participatory workshops to raise awareness and share best practices in gender-responsive climate action. • Leverage Financial Mechanisms: Mobilize funding from climate finance initiatives to support gender-inclusive adaptation projects, ensuring resources reach the most vulnerable groups. • Monitor and Evaluate Progress: Develop robust gender-sensitive monitoring frameworks to evaluate the outcomes of the CCGAP, with periodic assessments to inform policy adjustments. Annual Report for the AICCRA project 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the study For decades, a powerful connection has been recognized between gender equality and achieving sustainable development and environmental management. This link is firmly established in international policies that promote women's empowerment and equal rights for both genders. These policies encompass sustainable development, environmental protection, and efforts to address climate change. The Malian government has embraced this approach, integrating gender as a key policy priority into major plans and initiatives for several years. Mali's policy priorities in agriculture during the period of conducting this research includes: (i) As climate change brings more severe impacts to Mali, the need for strong climate action plans is growing especially on agriculture. This Climate Change Gender Action Plan (CCGAP -Mali) is being developed during a real-life example of climate change's effects on the agricultural system in the country. In 2018, Mali faced a severe drought that devastated crops. The lack of rain led to widespread crop failure, particularly for staple crops like millet and sorghum. This resulted in food shortages and price hikes, leaving many Malian families struggling to afford food. While droughts are a major concern, unpredictable and intense floods can also be destructive. In 2019 and 2024, flash floods in Mali destroyed rice fields and other crops just before harvest. This unexpected disaster caused significant economic losses for farmers and disrupted food. (ii) Mali is making strong efforts to link women and gender differences with climate change adaptation and mitigation. For example, Mali is a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the international community which emphasizes gender equality in climate action plans. However, the integration of gender into climate change adaptation and mitigation AND A FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION Annual Report for the AICCRA project 2 endeavors remained limited, although the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) emphasized on paying due attention to addressing gender issues into climate change programs, and the establishment of a Gender Unit within the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. (iii) Mali is a member of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 that specifically focuses on Women, Peace and Security (WPS). (iv) Mali developed a National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) and an Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) that acknowledge women and gender differences in climate change adaptation and mitigation. Building an understanding of the gender aspects of climate change adaptation and mitigation enhances comprehensive planning and programming that is effective, efficient, and equitable. This is recognized by global policy spheres, regional and national strategists, and international development agencies. Gender integration into climate change policies is specifically essential in funding mechanisms including the major multilateral climate finance entities. The Green Climate Fund, for example, in its Gender Policy and Action Plan upholds that gender and climate change matters because: - Climate Change increases women's workload: Droughts and other climate effects worsen the scarcity of firewood and water. This burden of collecting these resources falls more heavily on women than men. - Women’s livelihoods are at risk: As women often have access to lands with poor soil fertility and water availability, climate change leads to larger decline in productivity and their income, pushing them deeper into poverty. - Urban women struggle to recover: After climate disasters, poor women face greater challenges regaining their economic due to their limited access to safety net measures footing and well- being compared to men. - Women are climate leaders: Despite facing greater challenges, women play a significant role in fighting climate change due to their knowledge and cultural heritage. Climate change and gender action plan (CCGAP) process Mali's Climate Change and Gender Action Plan (CCGAP-Mali) is backed by the Gender Equality for Climate Change Opportunities (GECCO) initiative. This partnership between the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) aims to strengthen women's empowerment and gender equality in climate change solutions and Annual Report for the AICCRA project 3 development and has two main sub-objectives: support the development of gender responsive climate change action plans and, build the capacity to implement gender responsive actions. The development of the ACCGAP: This current work concentrates on the aspect of Agriculture, climate change and gender action plan (ACCGAP). The ACCGAP is a comprehensive and ambitious plan that has the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of women and men engaged in the agricultural sector in Mali. By mainstreaming gender into agriculture, the ACCGAP aims to support the government of Mali is taking steps to build a more resilient and sustainable future for all. The CCGAP process helps translate global climate change agreements with gender equality concerns into actionable plans. The Mali Agriculture, Climate Change and Gender Action Plan (ACCGAP) has been developed with the support of the World Bank funded project (AICCRA) with the aim to stout rudimentary pillars of human right and social justice within the principles of social equity, equality, non-discrimination, sustainability, parity and inclusiveness of men and women actors in the agricultural system. The ACCGAP has robust developmental vision of ‘a climate resilient agricultural sector that contributes to food security and sustainable development in Mali ‘It aims to achieve the vision by: (i) Strengthening the capacity of farmers, especially women farmers, to adapt to climate change. (ii) Promoting an equitable adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. (iii) Increasing the resilience of agricultural systems to climate shocks and stresses and enhancing the participation of women in agricultural decision-making and. (iv) Promoting gender equality in the agricultural sector 1.2 Research Objectives The ACCGAP aims to address the gender dimensions of climate change adaptation and mitigation in the agricultural sector. The objective of this ACCGAP is to ensure that Mali’s climate change policies, programming and funding processes effectively mainstream gender to guarantee that women and men in agriculture can have access to, participate in, and benefit equally from climate change initiatives. The plan has four key specific objectives which includes: (i) increase women and youth's access to land, water, and credit. (ii) improve knowledge and skill of the various gender groups (women, men, and youths) in climate change adaptation and mitigation with a determined effort to narrow down existing gender gaps between groups. Annual Report for the AICCRA project 4 (iii) strengthen women's participation in decision-making and policymaking related to climate change. (iv) promote the use of gender-sensitive indicators to monitor and evaluate the plan's implementation. The objectives are expected to result in several outcomes, including: - Increased food security and nutrition for women and their families. - Improved livelihoods for men, women, and youths. - Increased resilience to climate change. - Increased gender equality in the agricultural sector. Annual Report for the AICCRA project 5 2.0 METHODOLOGY This Mali’s National Agriculture, Climate Change and Gender Action Plan (NACCGAP) is being drafted based on an analysis of the current national priorities in climate change and agriculture and multi-stakeholder workshops. There are five priority areas as documented in the National Agricultural Policy documents, and these include (i) improved water management (ii) improved crop varieties and livestock management. (iii) improved agricultural processing (jv) strengthening early warning systems and, (vi) increased capacity building. The development of the ACCGAP includes five key steps as described below: 1. Meetings and interviews, as well as an extensive desk review of existing literature (policies, articles, NGO and other stakeholder websites, etc.) to assess Agriculture, Gender and Climate Change in- country and development of action steps across priority sectors to develop a diagnosis of the status of gender and climate change in Malian agriculture. 2. Mapping of stakeholders - Meetings with representatives from the Ministry of Gender, Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (MLNREP), the Interim Climate Change Secretariat (ICCS), the USAID Mali Mission, and local Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to establish a working group/task force to oversee the conduction of the ACCGAP. 3. Development and facilitation of stakeholder trainings workshops on Agriculture, climate change and, gender, and the linkages between them 4. Development and facilitation of national workshops to elaborate discussions related to gender and climate change in Mali and facilitate creation of the Gender Action Plan. Theses workshop brought together a wide range of government and civil society stakeholders. 5. Validation and formalization/approval of the ACCGAP by key stakeholders including government, national agricultural research institutes, private sector and development organizations. 2.1 Policy Framework This ACCGAP is at the coordination of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development which has conducted several trainings on gender and climate change for government officials, civil society organizations and community members. They are involving collaboration and engagement across various Ministries and government bodies. Among these are the Ministry of Gender (MoG) - Ministry for the Promotion of Women, Children and the Family (MPFEF). Hence, the National Gender Policy (NGP) is serving as an important starting point for the development of the Action Plan. The NGP includes several key issues relevant to climate change (e.g. agriculture, water management. Land, credit access etc.). Essentially, Mali’s key climate change policies, plans, and strategies provide the foundation for Annual Report for the AICCRA project 6 this ACCGAP, as the ACCGAP is meant as a tool to enhance the implementation of environmental and climate change plans and not to serve as a stand-alone plan on gender and climate change. Therefore, Mali’s National Adaptation Program for Action (NAPA), Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), the National Determined Contribution (NDC), National Policy on Climate Change and Gender Action Plan 2019-2023, and other key climate change plans and programs have been analyzed as an input to this ACCGAP. At the end, the Gender Action Plan would be tabulated to show correlations between activities identified in ACCGAP. 3.0 THE CASE FOR GENDER INEQUALITY Gender inequality is a major challenge in Mali’s agricultural sector. Women make up most agricultural workers in Mali, but they face significant barrier to access production resources making women farmers often less productive than male farmers. The 2020 Gender Inequality Index (GII) published by the UNDP assigns Mali a value of 0.587, ranking it 184 out of 189 countries on the GII above some of its neighbors though slightly lower (better) than the Sub-Saharan African average of 0.589. The GII for Mali’s agricultural sector is 0.612, higher than the SSA average implying a significant gap between women and men in the agricultural sector in terms of opportunities and outcomes. This is because women farmers face additional barriers 4 https://www.ciagov/library/publications/the-world- factbook/geos/ml.html in the agricultural sector such as: limited access to land mainly due to customary land tenure systems that favor men and the fact that women are often excluded from decision making about land use. Percentage landholders in Mali (2016) shows women 17% and Men 83% (FAO, 2018). Limited access to credit makes it difficult for women to invest on their own farms. In Mali, women are often seen as less creditworthy than men are as they often lack collateral required to obtain loan; limited access to extension services which limited women farmers access to information and advice on agricultural practices. This is due to the limited number of extension agents in Mali. Percentage of women with control over agricultural earnings in Mali (2018) was 30% and men 70%. Analysis has shown that women's productivity is 20% lower than that of men’s. By empowering women and providing them with the required resources, Mali can close or reduce remarkably the existing gender gap, which would increase agricultural productivity, reduce poverty and improve food security which are at the heart of the country’s economic development. The Intergovernmental Panel Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report affirmed that gender will be among one of the chief socioeconomic factors that determines vulnerability to its impacts4. Essentially, strategizing for gender equality is one of the sure ways a country can invest for future. Mainstreaming gender in climate change is the process of ensuring that the needs https://www.ciagov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ml.html https://www.ciagov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ml.html Annual Report for the AICCRA project 7 and priorities of both women and men are considered in all aspects of climate change policy and action. Gender mainstreaming is the systematic integration of gender perspectives and considerations into policies, programs, and practices to promote equality and address disparities between men and women. Understanding gender mainstreaming is the first and basic for all actors in the systems that fight climate change. Governments and stakeholders from around the world have recognized how important gender equality is to sustainable development and to the human experience overall. The Government of Mali has made strong commitments to gender mainstreaming, and the existence of the collaborative ministries in gender issues is evidential. There is increased resilience to impacts of climate change by communities when women, and men can participate equally in decision-making and access to resources. In this way, women can participate in climate-resilient economic activities, improve their livelihoods, and health of their families and, reduce poverty. Gender mainstreaming has been the primary methodology used to integrate a gender approach into development and/or environmental efforts. Hence, it could easily be understood why it has been gaining in momentum among policy makers, international organizations and donors to intensify sustainable development implementation. Gender mainstreaming does not imply merely a one-off solution to issues of equity and equality by adding women’s participation to existing strategies and programs. Rather, it seeks to transform unequal societies and institutional structures to realize the full creative and productive potential of women to reduce vulnerability and enhance efficiency and effectiveness of development projects and programs. By addressing gender inequalities in access to land, water and technology, women get empowered to adapt to climate change impacts more effectively. 3.1 Women Situation in Mali Women in Mali face significant challenges in all areas of life, including politics, society, economics and culture. Politics: Women are underrepresented in Malian politics. In the 2020 parliamentary elections, women won only 27.3% of seats although it is around the sub-Saharan Africa average percentage of 28% (IPU, 2023). This is a slight increase from the 24.7% that Mali worn in 2013. However, Mali still lags many other African countries in terms of women’s political representation. For example, in Rwanda, women hold 64% of seats in parliament. Society: Traditionally, women in Mali are often seen as inferior to men. They are expected to take on most of the unpaid domestic work and childcare and they often have less access to education and employment opportunities. Women are more likely to be victims of violence, including domestic violence, sexual assaults, and female genital mutilations. Economics: Women in Mali are more likely to live in poverty than men. They also earn less money Annual Report for the AICCRA project 8 than men and have less access to credit and other financial services. The 2018 Mali Demographic survey, provided that 44% of the female-headed households live below the national poverty line of 40% compared to 33% of the male-headed households. In rural areas, women are often the primary farmers but often lack access to production resources. This makes it difficult for them to produce enough food to support their families. Culture: Malian culture is patriarchal where men are seen as the head of the household and the decision-makers. Women are expected to be subservient to their husbands and fathers. This view of gender roles is often reinforced by religious leaders. Despite the challenges they face, Malian women are making progress in all areas of life. They are becoming more politically active, gaining access to education and employment opportunities. They are speaking out against violence and discrimination. There are several organizations working to promote gender equality and combat violence against women. Women’s life expectancy is significantly higher than that of the men at birth in Mali at 60.3 years, compared with 57.6 years for the men. The country’s maternal mortality rate is one of the highest rates in the world reaching 546 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2018. Literacy rates in Mali are low, especially for women. The 2017 Mali Demographic Survey Reports that the male literacy rate reached 34.7% while females reached 26.7%. Girls receive an average of 3.2 years of schooling, compared to 4.2 years for boys (INSTAT- Mali, 2017). 3.2 Climate Change in Mali Mali is already experiencing effects of climate change including more frequent and severe droughts, floods, heat waves and recently, a significant decline in rainfall and this trend is expected to continue. Projections by the IPCC and downscaled data suggest mean annual temperature in Mali will increase by 1.2 ℃ to 3.6℃ by 2060 and 1.8 ℃ to 5.9℃ by 2090 (World Bank, 2018). Over 50% of the country’s GDP relies on agriculture with a significant portion of the population reliant upon subsistence agriculture and other natural resource- dependent livelihood (World Bank, 2022). Mali’s vulnerability to climate change effect is increasing alarmingly. The Notre- Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN) climate change vulnerability index ranked Mali the 166th most at-risk country to climate change in 2016; the 9th most vulnerable in 2020 out of all the 181 countries assessed and, the 43rd least ready country to address climate change effects. Turkey, (2023) reported that Mali ranked 14th out of 180 countries assessed in terms of fragility. 3.3 Climate change and Agriculture Climate change is exacerbating Mali's agricultural problems in several ways including its devastating effect on crop (disrupting planting schedules and, damaging crops) leading to yield losses and lower quality produce; increased pests and diseases, Annual Report for the AICCRA project 9 land degradation and, desertification which is shrinking the amount of fertile land available for agriculture. This decrease in arable land puts further strain on Mali's agricultural water capacity making it difficult for farmers to irrigate their crops, especially during crucial growth periods. Rice, a key staple food in Mali, is significantly impacted by climate change, with projected declines of 10% and 17% in rainfed lowland and upland systems, respectively, and reductions of 30% and 80% in irrigated lowlands during the rainy and dry seasons, respectively (van Oort and Zwart, 2018).Reduced harvests due to climate change can lead to food insecurity and higher food prices. This can put a strain on household budgets and force people to adopt unsustainable land management practices and promote male outmigration, further disproportionately worsening the situation of women who are already disadvantaged. FAO, (2012) projected that effect of climate change on agriculture would exacerbate food insecurity, potentially pushing an additional 1.3 million people in rural areas below the poverty line by 2050. According to the FAO, global food security has actually improved, but the issue is now to access to nutritious, safe and sufficient food: In 2022, 2.4 billion people, comprising relatively more women and people living in rural areas, did not have access to nutritious, safe and sufficient food all year round. Climate change along with other factors is challenging the capacity of agrifood systems to deliver nutritious, safe and affordable diets for all (FAO, 2023). The effects of climate change vary across individual groups, localities, regions and nations and are disproportionate among vulnerable and socio-economic groups imposing real social challenges on the health and livelihood of the people and are inducing stress-migration on the Malian farmers. 3.4 Gender and Agriculture Mali, indeed, faces a significant gender gap in agriculture which can have a multidimensional negative impact on development elements like agricultural productivity, food security, and household income and as well manifest on livestock raising, adoption of improved crop varieties and water availability. Mali women often have less control over livestock ownership compared to men. This is associated with the country’s cultural norms and inheritance practices which can restrict women's ability to inherit or purchase animals. Women in Mali often contribute significantly to livestock care (feeding, milking), but are deprived optimal management practices for livestock, leading to lower yields (milk, meat) and income. According to Gning et al. (2023), in Mali up to 80% of women own sheep and/or goats in different regions of the country, so that livestocks (especially small ruminants and poultry) are very important for women’s livelihoods, particularly since they do not tend to have access to alternative opportunities. However, gender-based restrictions which tend to restrict women to the domestic space, limit women’s access to animal health services. Small ruminants’ (and poultry) Annual Report for the AICCRA project 10 rearing remains the main source of financial savings for rural households amid mistrust of agricultural banks. Men own three times as many cattle, horses and poultry as women, four times as many small ruminants, donkeys and camels, and have more pigs, according to the National Food Security Survey in Mali (ENSAM, 2020). Lack of time and decision-making power do limit their access to animal health services and inputs such as treatments, and vaccinations. Women also lack access to training on herd management practices (Gning et al., 2024). Studies suggest a land ownership gap of 70-80% in Mali, with men controlling the majority of land hindering women’s ability to have access to lands with secured water availability and soil fertility l (World Bank, 2021). Men traditionally hold decision-making power regarding other lucrative aspects like sale, breeding, and movement of livestock. This limits women's influence on this asset. Agricultural extension services educate farmers on new technologies (e.g. Machines, crop varieties, chemicals, and new techniques) through training programs. Unfortunately, cultural norms or lack of mobility often impairs Mali women from benefitting effectively from these services. Such limitation can leave women with limited knowledge about the benefits and management practices of agricultural innovations. Women’s tight schedule discourage them from trainings because training sessions are often conducted during the time when women are busy doing housework. Officials and extension workers who disseminate agricultural technologies and policies to farmers also tend to be men. As a result, little attention has been paid to the situations, issues, and needs of women farmers (UN Women, 2019). Studies suggest a 20-30% gap in agricultural extension service outreach to women compared to men [Source: FAO - Gender and Climate Change for Rural Resilience]. Women and men are changing their cropping practices, and this has different impacts on access to and control over income from crops, as well as their respective workloads (Jost et al., 2016; V. Nelson & Stathers, 2009). Social norms and expectations often hinder women's ability to adapt to these changes and women are largely excluded from discussions and planning at local, national, and international levels which form the basses of this Action Plan. However, there is a bright side. When women do have access to resources and knowledge about climate-smart agriculture (CSA), they readily adopt these practices. Studies by Twyman et al (2014) and Mutenje et al (2019) show that women are just as likely as men to embrace CSA, and it can even empower them. Women’s productivity is estimated to be around 50% of those men (World Bank), but their contributions are often undervalued. There is a significant gender gap in rice productivity in Mali, for example. Studies show that women farmers consistently harvest less rice per hectare compared to men. This gap can be as high as 62% according to a report by the African Economic Annual Report for the AICCRA project 11 Research Consortium1. This overwhelming gap has been traced to inequality emanating from uneven access of men and women to resources, knowledge and information 2 and especially women’s limited access to labor input due to too much non-farm responsibilities3. Finance is another important issue that must be addressed in Mali agriculture. Improved technologies can be expensive, and women often have less access to credit or resources to purchase them. Water scarcity is a major challenge and despite the crucial role women play in water management, yet they face significant obstacles. Women are often the primary water collectors in Mali, responsible for fetching water for household use, livestock watering, and sometimes small-scale irrigation. Studies suggest women in rural areas spend average of an hour a day collecting water, compared to 20 minutes for men [Source: SPRING - Agriculture and Nutrition in Mali through a Gender Lens]. Yet, women often have little say in water management decisions especially on issues of location of water points, allocation of water resources, and adoption of new water-saving technologies The time spent collecting water takes away from other productive activities like farming, income generation, or education. This disproportionately burdens women and limits their overall economic opportunities. This suggests policies to develop Mali agriculture to target land Tenure Reform, 1 http://data.worldbank.org/ indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD). 2 ESA/P/WP/248. https://esa. Extension Services, Women's Groups and organize Microfinance Programs that would particularly help women invest in improved seeds, fertilizers, and small livestock among others. 3.5 Gender and Climate change Mali is implementing adaptation actions to reduce vulnerability and increase resilience to climate change. This Mali CCGAP places emphasis on gender mainstreaming in Mali’s agricultural sector (agriculture and livestock production), so that both men and women’s unique needs are reflected in policy formulation and implementation in line with FAO, (2019). The impacts of climate change in Mali agriculture disproportionately affect women and girls who remain critically vulnerable to land degradation and gender-based violence (UN Women, 2019), food insecurity and water scarcity (World Bank 2018) and, health risk (WHO, 2016). Challenges posed by effects of climate change is a capital issue that must not be overlooked when addressing issue of development in Mali. The government of Mali has developed a national climate change strategy, which includes measures to improve agricultural productivity, adapt to climate change, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Mali’s high vulnerability to the impacts of climate change disposes its economy and food security to critical risk. 3un.org/unpd/wpp/Publications/Files/WPP2017_KeyFindin gs.pdf. https://esa/ Annual Report for the AICCRA project 12 Since agriculture production is more vulnerable to climate change variability, the gender differences in accessing and controlling resources have serious implications on the household’s adaptive capacity to adverse effects of climate change. Women are affected more than men when climate-related disasters occur. This results in disruptions to livelihoods, and the gap between the vulnerable members of society and those with a better capacity to cope widens. Climate change is leading to limited forage resources, changes in traditional transhumance patterns, and causing conflicts. The Southwards drifts of herdsmen towards the agricultural zone in search of water and vegetation brings in violent conflicts involving killings and raping of women and girls. Climate change stress induced out-migration of men leaving women with huge responsibilities to cater for households and produce food for the entire nation. The gap between male, and female labor force participation rates in Mali ranks second highest in the WAEMU (Turkey, 2023). Women and girls face the greatest challenge as they are mainly charged with the responsibility to secure food, water, and firewood for domestic uses. Notably, women are vulnerable to climate change but are effective actors in climate change mitigation and adaptation. In a report, UN Women, (2015) found the probability of a peace agreement lasting at least 15 years to be 35 percent higher when women participate. This highlights the centrality of policies that favor gender mainstreaming in agricultural system development especially in the urgent issue of tackling treat of climate change. Consequently, different platforms and agencies sponsored by state and non-state actors are set up in Mali, to promote the inclusion of women in all sectors. Dudouet and Schädel, (2021), reveals that participation by women in peace negotiations and constitutional reform processes increased the likelihood that agreements would be reached and implemented. The limited participation of women and girls in decision-making processes and labor markets deepen inequalities and often prevent them from fully contributing to climate-related planning, policymaking, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Invariably, climate change has come to stray, and women and girls will continue to bear a disproportionate share of the burden of climate change impacts on agriculture as long as inequality is not tackled. Discourses on these forms of gender inequality have been a source of global debate as reflected in various international conferences targeted towards promoting the status of women. 4.0 COUNTRY OVERVIEW: THE CONTEXT FOR ADDRESSING GENDER AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN MALI Mali is a west African landlocked Nation located between Latitudes 10° and 25° North of the Equator and between Longitude 10° West and 1° East although as a large country, these values may vary depending on specific locations. Mali shares borders with seven other countries: Annual Report for the AICCRA project 13 Algeria to the North, Mauritania to the Northwest, Senegal to the west, Guinea to the Southwest, Burkina Faso to the south and southeast, Niger to the east and Cote d’Ivoire to the South. Mali’s capital city is Bamako, located at the southwest on the banks of the Niger River. Mali’s land surface area is approximately 1.24 million Km2 making it the 8th largest country in Africa. The population of Mali is about 19million and is projected to 44, 020,000 by 2050 (UNDESA (2015)2. Mali has an average national population density of around 19 people per square kilometer. The density is higher at the Delta Region. On average, Mali’s altitude elevation sits at around 343m above sea level. The lowest point in Mali is along the Senegal River, at about 23m. The Highest point is Hombori Tondo reaching 1,155m. The World Bank estimated that 44% of Malian households live below the national poverty line and at extreme poverty rate of about 19.1% in 2022. Inequality challenge in Mali is evidence in 10% of Malians controlling more than 40% of the country’s wealth while larger proportion are struggling to make ends meet. The country’s HDI has increased by more than 20% since 1990 though, it is yet lower than the HDI of 0.692 for developing countries and the 0.55 HDI average for SSA in 2021. Mali’s life expectancy has increased from 48 to 59 years over the same period due to factors like increased investment in education and healthcare, economic growth and political stability. These growth and development gains contribute to progress in achieving targets identified in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Majority (59%) of the population lives in the rural area, about 15% in the urban and 40% in the floodplain, Delta region. The floodplain region is under severe pressure from the high population density. This can lead to problems (such as environmental degradation, conflict, poverty etc.) to which women are more vulnerable. As part of the program to address the challenges to human development, the government includes the national poverty reduction strategy, which aims to reduce poverty by 50% by 2030. Other programs include, the National Gender Policy, which aims to promote a gender equality and women’s empowerment; the National Peacebuilding Strategy, which aims to build peace and stability in Mali and the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, which aims to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Mali’s physical vulnerability is heightened by socioeconomic and environmental aspects of the development factors, mainly: (1) the dependence on rain fed agriculture (2) a high poverty rate and low Human Development Index (3) high annual population growth rate (over 2.5%) that leads to increasing number of more vulnerable people settling in flood plains, combined with weak land use planning. The government of Mali is making concerted efforts to address these problems, but it may be more challenging if gender responsive policies are not applied to reach the more vulnerable, voiceless sub-population. Annual Report for the AICCRA project 14 FIGURE 1: GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF MALI 4.1 Topography Mali has a land mass of 1,241,238Km2 about two thirds of which is being covered by desert and semi- desert areas, unsuitable for agriculture. Mali’s topography is a valuable resource for the country Providing land for agriculture, water for irrigation and minerals for export. The topography is characterized with plateau and plains which are crossed by two major African rivers (River Niger and River Senegal), These river systems, constitute significantly to the ground and surface water resources. Their tributaries offer an irrigable potential estimated at more than 2.2 million ha. The Inner Niger Delta extends over more than 30,000 km² and is a special ecological site with significant agro-sylvo-pastoral potential. The southern part of Mali is characterized by a savanna landscape. The Niger River flows through this region creating a fertile flood plain. The central part is the Sahel, a semi-arid region with sparse vegetation. The northern part is the Sahara Desert. At the northeast is the highest point of sandstone plateau, Hombori Tondo, which rises to an elevation of 1,155 meters. Mali’s topography has a significant impact on the country’s climate. Annual Report for the AICCRA project 15 4.2 Agro-ecological zones 6 Mali is divided into four major agro-ecological zones (See Figure 2) which run in a north-south direction according to rainfall and vegetation patterns. These include: - The -Saharan Zone: This zone covers 51% of Mali’s land area. It is characterized by very low rainfall (less than 250mm per annum) and desert vegetation. This north Sahara Desert is extremely hot and dry year-round and not suitable for agriculture or livestock grazing but it is rich in mineral resources such as gold, uranium and salta5. The main agricultural activities are nomadic stock raising and caravan trade and few households cultivate sorghum around ponds. The southern Savanah region is hot and humid during rainy season (June to May). - Sahelian Zone- This zone receives slightly more rainfall (250-500 mm per annum) than the Saharan zone and supports sparse grasslands and savannahs. This is divided into Sahelian- Saharan area in the North and Sahelian-Soudanian area in the South. The central Sahel region is hot during the dry season (October to May). Dry northern and more agricultural, southern area growing rice and sorghum, with nomadic and transhumant raising of camels, cattle, goats and sheep. It has average annual precipitation of 200 mm; covers 285,000 km² and occupies 26% of the country’s land area. The main agricultural production involves cereal production (rice and sorghum), nomadic and transhumant livestock (camels, cattle, goats, and sheep). Mali's location in the Sahel region makes it vulnerable to climate change impacts like drought and desertification. This threatens agricultural productivity and food security. - Sudanian Zone- this covers 17% of the country’s land area, has longer rainy season, receives annual rainfall ranging from 600 and 800 mm and supports savannas with woodlands. The farmers are mainly smallholders, practicing mainly sedentary livestock rearing and the area is highly valued for transhumant herding. They grow grains (millet, sorghum, maize, cowpea, etc) and cash crops like groundnut and sesame as well as important fodder resources for northern transhumant herders during drought years and lean seasons. - -Sudanian Guinean Zone - The Soudan-Guinean zone covers only 6% (75,000 km²) of the country’s land area. This is the southernmost and wettest zone in Mali, receiving between 800- 1300mm of rain per annum. It is a zone of transition between the savannas and the Sudanian zones and the forests of the southern Guinea. Subsistence farmers grow sorghum, cowpea, fruits, tubers and vegetables (cabbages, okra, tomato, onion), with groundnut and maize for food and cash. Wild fruit gathering and livestock raising (cattle, sheep, goats) are common but 6 http://www4.unfccc.int/Submissions/INDC/Published%20Documents/Mali/1/CPDN_MALI_VFsegal.pdf) 5http://www4.unfccc.int/ndcregistry/PublishedDocuments/Mali%20First/Mali_revised%20NDC.pdf. http://www4.unfccc.int/Submissions/INDC/Published%20Documents/Mali/1/CPDN_MALI_VFsegal.pdf http://www4.unfccc.int/ndcregistry/PublishedDocuments/Mali%20First/Mali_revised%20NDC.pdf Annual Report for the AICCRA project 16 in dry-season northerners use the region for, transhumant herding. An important feature of this zone is the Inland Niger Delta, a floodplain along the Niger River that is ideal for rice cultivation, and this is the most agricultural region in Mali. The rainy season lasts for 5-6 months with average annual precipitation varying between 800- and 1300-mm. Livelihoods in this region are based on maize, sorghum, cowpea, fruits and groundnut. Groundnut and maize are produced for household consumption and cash generation. Tubers and vegetables (cabbages, okra, tomato, onion etc.) are also grown for income diversification. Most farm households in this zone also practice sedentary stock raising for mainly cattle, sheep and goat. During the dry season, fields and pastures are exploited by transhumant herders from northern regions which often breeds violent repellent from the farmers causing more harm to women and children. Overall, about 43.7 million ha of land can be used for agriculture and livestock in the country. Only 5.2 million ha (11.9%) of the arable land are cultivated annually, of which less than 300,000 ha benefit from sources of water other than rain, and 120,000 ha benefit from irrigation water control. It has been estimated that due to climatic changes over the region, the major river basins could diminish significantly, with severity during the dry season and implications for fisheries. Physically, Mali's agricultural sector potential and assets are enormous. Pasture areas are estimated at more than 30 million ha, of which only nearly 1/3 is exploited, mainly because of insufficient access to water and various losses, particularly through trampling, fires and the effects of rangeland erosion. The herd is one of the largest in the sub-region and, is made up of mainly cattle, eep-goats, camels and traditional poultry. Land not occupied by crops is generally dedicated to sylvo-pastoral activities, representing around 49 million ha. Livestock is mainly based on the exploitation of farm residues and natural resources. Poor management of land and natural resources, combined with harsh climate conditions (drought) have caused decreases in grazing land area, and even livestock losses further inducing more of men migration and leaving women to manage farm and household under stringent economic conditions. The high dependency on agriculture and concentration of the population along floodplain and rural areas are among the factors positioning Mali as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa and the wider world. Annual Report for the AICCRA project 17 FIGURE 2: AGRO-CLIMATIC ZONES IN MALI 4.3 Geo-political and historical context Mali's vast territory in West Africa has been shaped by both its rich history and its current geopolitical situation. Geo-political factors add up to exacerbate Mali’s vulnerability to climate change. Understanding Mali's historical and geopolitical context is crucial to appreciating how these issues interweave to affect women disproportionately. Mali was once part of the great West African empires of Ghana, Mali (13th-15th centuries), and Songhai (15th-16th centuries). These empires-controlled trade routes across the Sahara, flourished on the gold trade, and left a legacy of rich culture and scholarship. Mali fell under French colonial rule in 1892. By 1893 the French appointed a civilian Governor for the territory called Soudan Francais (French Soudan but active resistance to French rule continued. By 1905, most of the area was under firm French control. This colonial period had a lasting impact on infrastructure, education (with French as the primary language), and political structures. Mali initially achieved independence as part of a federation with Senegal on June 20, 1960, as Sudanese Republic. However, Senegal soon withdrew from the federation, leading Mali to declare itself an independent nation on September 22, 1960, with Modibo Keita as the first President of Mali (1960-1968). This is the day celebrated as Mali's Independence Day. Since the Annual Report for the AICCRA project 18 independence, Mali has faced challenges key among which include weak central authority as the government has struggled to maintain control over the vast territory, particularly the north. There have always been ethnic tensions emanating from the existence of diverse population with various ethnic groups. The Constitution of Mali has undergone a series of reforms since its inception in 1968 and another version adopted in 1974 while moving the state from military rule. The latest reformed was in 2020 that got a military president, Assimi Goita sweeping powers in new Mali constitution. The military government under Goita has adopted a new constitution that enhances the powers of the president and the armed forces. Mali has been ruled by a junta since 2020. The original Malian constitution was after a military coup d'état and replaced by a new fundamental law. Poverty has remained endemic as Mali remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with limited access to education and healthcare. Mali's vast territory is, prone to drought and desertification that induces competition for scarce resources like water and fertile land that in turn fuel tensions between communities, particularly nomadic herders and sedentary farmers. Mali is in a strategic location- at the crossroads of the Sahara and sub-Saharan Africa which makes it strategically important. It controls trade routes and has valuable resources like gold and uranium. This strategic location has drawn the attention of major powers like France, the United States, and rising economies like China, all vying for influence in the region. Mali has a history of political instability, including coups and ongoing conflict with jihadist groups in the north making the north of Mali a breeding ground for extremism and terrorist groups like al- Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). French colonialism disrupted traditional land management practices, leading to environmental degradation. This has intensified internal conflict and international intervention, including French military presence. Mali's struggles are intertwined with those of its neighbors. Spillovers from conflicts in Burkina Faso and Niger affect its security. This instability weakens governance and hinders the implementation of effective climate change policies. The emphasis on cash crops like cotton further strained water resources. Malian society is largely patriarchal. Women traditionally hold primary responsibility for water collection, food preparation, and household chores. These tasks become increasingly burdensome amidst climate change-induced water scarcity and food insecurity. Decreased and unpredictable rainfall patterns disrupt agricultural production, a sector heavily reliant on women's labor. Women face increased workloads and difficulties fulfilling their household roles due to unreliable water sources. Climate change effect with its associated geopolitical factors are widening existing gender inequalities across the country, intensifying social unrest and weakening the capacity to address climate change effectively hence, making women more vulnerable to its effects. Vividly, Mali faces a complex future and must need to overcome its Annual Report for the AICCRA project 19 historical and current challenges by means of a strong central government that addresses the needs of all ethnicities which is crucial for stability. A stable and inclusive government is vital for implementing effective climate policies and addressing the root causes of conflict over resources. Unarguably, techniques that conserve water and improve soil fertility can help Mali adapt to a changing climate and ensure food security. By navigating its historical legacy and complex geopolitical situation, Mali has the potential to build a more stable and prosperous future. 4.4 Economy Mali is a low- income country with a GDP per capita of USD 1,200. Mali’s economy has been struggling since the 2012 civil war when its GDP growth rate was -1.2%, the lowest in over a decade. The economy is improving gradually but the growth remains below pre-conflict level. The economy is based on agriculture, livestock and mining. Agriculture is the largest sector of the economy accounting for over 40% of GDP and employing over 80% of the workforce. In 2022, GDP growth is estimated at 1.8%. Mali is a major exporter of cotton, as well as a significant producer of rice and livestock. Mining is the second largest sector of the economy, accounting for over 15% of GDP. Mali produces bauxite, copper, iron ore and is a major producer of gold. Service sector accounts for 45% of GDP (Mainly trade, transportation, and tourism). Mali’s economy has been growing in recent years with average GDP growth rate of 5% per year. Mali is currently one of the poorest countries in the world with poverty rate of over 40%. Although Mali has observed a significant growth rate in its GDP, the economy has suffered because of insecurity, climate change and high level of poverty among others. Mali’s economy, heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly cereal production and gold mining makes the country susceptible to climate stress factors and fluctuations in commodity prices. 5.0 IMPORTANT GENDER FRAMEWORK HYPOTHESIS ON GENDER EQUALITY AND GROWTH Mikkola (2005) adopted a simple relevant framework considered suitable in describing Mali’s real situation. The framework shows a hierarchy of power and a hierarchical view of gender where men are above the women - women equally considering themselves inferior and less valued than men. Gender equality on the other hand, entails equal value and opportunities for both men and women. Our current study therefore traces how the gender hierarchy manifests itself in Mali today especially in agricultural system. According to the Demographic and Health Survey of Mali (EDSM VI), 49% of women aged 15-49 who are currently in a marriage or who have been married in the past have experienced emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse at some point; 89% of women aged 15-49 and 73% of girls aged 0-14 have Annual Report for the AICCRA project 20 experienced female genital mutilation; 53% of women were married before the age of 18 and 18% before the age of 15; and 2.1% of women have committed physical violence on their current/most recent husband/partner at some time (Ndiaye, 2021). CARE Report in Mali, (May 2013) on a study carried out among men and women (aged 18-59) finds out that 41% of female respondents claimed to have experienced physical violence while 34.9% of their male counterparts claimed having used physical violence against a female partner. Furthermore, 41% of the men and 24% women work in agriculture and farming, including casual work (petty trading and similar activities). The IPCC (2022) Assessment report says that gender would be among one of the chief socioeconomic factors that determines vulnerability to climate change impacts (UNDP. 2005, Human Development Report. UNDP. New York, USA). 5.1 Legal Framework: Mandates and Policy Related to Agriculture 5.1.1 Mali’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) The NDC is an embodiment of the efforts by UN countries to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Mali produced its NDCs to reduce greenhouse gas emission following the adoption of a new climate change agreement at 21st session of the COPs to the UNFCCC in Paris, in December 2015. Mali was among some 54 African countries who signed in NDC and the 48 countries (89%) ratified NDCs as of Oct 2021 (Africa NDC Hub). In the NDCs Mali outlines mechanism undertaken to fulfil objectives of the endorsed Paris Agreement. The Department of Climate Change of the Federal Ministry of Environment in a bid to achieve the NDC has developed the National Climate Change Strategy and Action Plans. Mali submitted to the UNFCCC its First NDC (slightly revised INDC) in September 20165. It adopted NDC 2015-2019 that was later reviewed in 2019 to the current version (2020-2030). In its NDCs Mali presents itself as being highly vulnerable to the negative effects of climate change, resulting in over exploitation of natural resources and land degradation6.The first plan (2015-2019) included three sectors (energy, agriculture, and forestry) and this revised version, (2020-2030) incorporated Gender to it. Mali’s revised NDC (2020-2030) was based on outlining gender considerations and underlining the need to adopt a gender-sensitive approach to climate change policymaking and programming in Mali. It was designed to correct the initial wrong assumption that the negative impacts of climate change had similar effects on women and men while adopting a generic approach in the mitigation. Now, the NDC recognizes that, ‘women and men experience climate change differently’. Mali has demonstrated her unwavering strategic intent to mainstream gender in the objectives of adaptation through their NDCs and identified their adaptation priorities through National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes. Through this process, Mali identifies addresses and reviews her adaptation needs and Annual Report for the AICCRA project 21 advances implementation of adaptation measures. “Mali's revised NDC has focused on gender through which Mali proposes the implementation phase, to be a question of integrating gender indicators and adopting a gender-sensitive approach in the development of policies, programs and projects contributing to the achievement of the objectives of the NDC. Mitigation. Mali is committed to reduce the GHG emissions by 27% by 2030, compared to a Business-as-Usual (BAU) scenario targeting 29% and. 31% reduction in agricultural and energy sectors respectively. Mali updated the baseline period with mitigation scenario GHG reduction levels relative to the baseline scenario of 31% for energy, 25 % for agriculture, 39% for forests and 31% for waste. The synthesis of emissions and sequestrations by 2030 gives a reduction of 40% of these total emissions. The conditional costs of mitigation measures are estimated at $34.68 billion for 2015-2020. Based on the evaluation of the first NDC, with the climatic emergencies observed at the global level, Mali has entered a collective approach to raise its ambitions. Adaptation: The NDC also includes a section on adaptation, in which Mali prioritizes the development of a green and climate smart economy. Focus sectors for adaptation are forestry, climate smart agriculture, renewable energy, pastoral management and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). Estimated cost of adaptation measures are USD 1.06 billion, covering a period from 2015 to 2020. NDC prediction for adaptation depicts an inclusive approach involving (i) mobilizing local communities, vulnerable communities and women's groups to improve their resilience to climate change (ii) a series of sectoral projects in the fields of agriculture, civil society and capacity building and (iii) the development of research on adaptation to climate change. The realization of Mali’s predictions is conditional on funding. Mali is already receiving climate funding in accordance with the obligations of the UNFCCC, and the Paris Climate Agreement from different sources, including funds under the convention, the support of Technical and Financial Partners, bilateral and multilateral development banks, private sector etc. Mali communicated their vision and objectives on adaptation through the NDCs, and has developed policies, programs and strategic actions in the process to develop National Adaptation Policies. 5.1.2 National Adaptation Program of Action A multi-sectorial group, with representation from the government of Mali, NGOs, CSOs, and humanitarian agencies, was established to create a National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) to identify priority activities and respond to reduce the risk of impact from climate change. The NAPA was developed in 2007 and updated in 2013. It identified the 5 priority areas in agriculture: (i) Improved water management (ii) Diversification of crops and livestock (iii) Improved agricultural process (iv) Strengthening early warning systems and Annual Report for the AICCRA project 22 (v) Increased capacity building. In addition, other areas that are important for agriculture include reducing deforestation, improving soil fertility and increasing access to markets. The NAPA includes several measures to promote gender equality and empower women by (i) increasing women’s participation in decision- making (ii) Providing women with access to resources (iii) Promoting gender sensitive climate change education. 5.1.3 National Action Plan (NAP) in conflict and climate change Mali’s NAP on conflict and insecurity is a plan to address the challenges posed by conflict and insecurity to climate change adaptation. The NAP was developed in 2017 and updated in 2022. It identifies several priority areas for gender action: (i) Increasing women’s participation in decision-making at all levels from local to national for climate change adaptation and in other leadership positions. (ii) Providing women with access to resources. (iii) Promoting gender–sensitive climate change education. 5.1.4 The National Action plan on Security The Resolution was adopted by the United Nations Security Council on 31 October 2000 and is an innovative international norm, which calls for the full and equal participation of women in all initiatives concerning peace and security. Mali has experienced an unprecedented socio-security crisis that has affected the entire population. Women and children have been the most affected and have been impacted by all manners of violence. NAP document acts as a reference tool for the consideration of specific rights and needs of women and girls in all peace, mediation and national reconciliation processes. 5.1.5 Mali Constitution Gender is a priority recognized in the preamble of the constitution of the third Republic of Mali: “The sovereign people of Mali declared its determination to defend the rights of women and children as well as the cultural and linguistic diversity of the national community.’’ The Constitution of Mali was adopted in 1992 and amended in 2001 and 2012. It is founded on the principles of equality of all citizens before the law regardless of gender, race, social status or origin. It includes an Article of Equality (Article 2), which states, “Men and women have the right to participate in the political, economic, social and cultural life. Of the country”. Article 25 states that the State will take all necessary measures to promote gender equality and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women. 5.1.6 National Communications to the UNFCCC At the time this CCGAP’s Framework was being compiled Mali has submitted its first and second national communications to the UNFCCC and is currently working on the third. Annual Report for the AICCRA project 23 5.2 Legal Climate Frameworks, Mandates and Policies for Advancing Gender Equality Institutional Arrangements: The government of Mali has a few agencies that are responsible for agriculture and climate change including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of environment, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and the Ministry of Water Resources, the National Agency for Sustainable Development (AEDD); the Climate Change Fund (FCF) for mobilizing financial resources to support adaptation and mitigation. The ministry has a number of specialized agencies such as the National Cereals Office (ONIC) and the National Livestock Office (ONAGREF). The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and fisheries (Ministere de l’Agriculture, de l’Elevage et de la Peche, MAEFR) is the government ministry responsible for Agricultural development and food security in Mali. The MAEFP has several departments that are specifically focused on gender and climate change including: (i) The Department of Gender and Development (Direction de la Genre et de Developpment, DGD) is responsible for promoting Gender equality and women’s empowerment in the agricultural sector. (ii) The Department of Climate Change (Direction du Changement Climatique, DCC) is responsible for developing and implementing Mali’s national climate adaptation and Mitigation strategy. The DCC is working to mainstream climate change adaptation and mitigation into agricultural planning and programming. The MAEFR works closely with other government ministries, civil society organizations, and development partners to address the challenges of gender in the agricultural sector being the lead of all the agencies responsible for developing and implementing agricultural policies, providing technical assistance to farmers and regulating the agricultural sector. Several government organizations, non- governmental organizations (NGOs) and the civil society in groups (CBOs) play a significant role in Mali’s agricultural sector. NGOs provide a variety of services to farmers including agricultural extension, input supply and market access. CBOs also play substantial role in mobilizing farmers, providing sustainable agricultural practices, and managing natural resources. Research institutions may be governmental or non- governmental. Among the legal frameworks and policies developed by the Malian government are the National Climate Change Action Plan (2023- 2025), the National Agriculture Sector Development plan (2013-2020), the National Forestry Action Plan (2013-2025). 5.2.1 Global climate policy Mali signed the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNCCC) on December 28, 1994, and ratified it on May 19, 1997. At the first Conference of Parties, in Berlin in 1995, a Special Group was established for negotiating a Protocol to the Convention. The protocol was adopted in Annual Report for the AICCRA project 24 December 1997 in Kyoto and was named the Kyoto Protocol. Mali signed the Kyoto Protocol on 27th January 1999 and ratified it in March 2002. The Protocol entered into force on 16th February 2005. Mali falls into the group of developing countries whose objectives were not reducing their glasshouse gas emissions rather they faced the objective 3 of the Kyoto protocol otherwise referred to as the objective of the “Clean Development Mechanism”. This objective is to assist this group of Parties in achieving a sustainable development as well as in contributing to the ultimate objective of the convention, and in assisting in helping, the parties achieve of the convention, and in fulfilling their figured commitments to limit and reduce their glasshouse gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol urged ‘Parties to take the measures necessary to enable women to participate fully in all levels of decision making relevant to climate change’ and invited Parties to consider the nomination of women for elective posts in any body established under the Convention or the Kyoto Protocol. The following is a summary of the key decisions, highlighting the chronology of gender and climate change at the UNFCCC: TABLE 1: KEY GLOBAL GENDER AND CLIMATE CHANGE DECISIONS Year Cop Decision 2001 Cop -7 Gender in the NAPs: Decision 36: “Improving the participation of women in the representation of Parties in bodies established under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol”. 2007 COP-13 Held in Bali, Indonesia and, clearly underlined the commitments of Member States concerning climate change. Parties also formulated the Bali Action Plan, a crucial framework to begin negotiations to reach a global agreement on climate change by the end of 2009. The Bali Action Plan affirmed that an effective approach to climate change includes mitigation, adaptation, technology and financing. The Bali conference led toward the promotion of gender equality in the framework of the UNFCCC. 2010 Cop- 16 Gender in the Cancun Agreement/ Shared Vision: The Preamble of Decision 1/CP.16 notes resolution 10/4 of the UN Human Rights Council on human rights and climate change and notes differential impacts of climate change on segments of the population, owing to intersections such as age and gender. Additionally, in the operative section on ‘Shared Vision’, the decision recognizes that “gender equality and the effective participation of women, are important for effective climate action on all aspects of climate change”. The key decisions are: -Improving gender balance & increasing women’s participation in UNFCCC processes, including bodies constituted under Convention, Kyoto Protocol & Paris Agreement -Increasing awareness & support for development & effective implementation of gender- responsive climate policy and action at regional, national & local levels 2011 Cop- 17 Green Climate Fund (GCF): The GCF governing instrument states that the fund will take a gender-sensitive approach. The GCF board will give due to consideration to gender balance and develop mechanisms to promote the input and participation of stakeholders, including private-sector actors, civil society, organizations, and vulnerable groups, including women and indigenous people. The GCF secretariat will also consider gender balance. 2012 Cop- 18 Decision 23 Adopted in Doha: “Promoting gender balance and improving the participation of women in UNFCCC negotiations and in the representation of Parties in bodies established pursuant to the Convention or the Kyoto Protocol.” Annual Report for the AICCRA project 25 2014 Cop-20 Decision 18: Lima Work Program on Gender: “… enhance the implementation of decisions 36/CP.7, 1/CP.16 and 23/CP.18 by inviting Parties to advance gender balance, promote gender sensitivity in developing and implementing climate policy, and achieve gender- responsive climate policy in all relevant activities under the Convention. 2015 Cop- 21 The Paris Agreement: Preamble: “Acknowledging that climate change is a common concern of humankind, Parties should, when taking action to address climate change, respect, promote and consider their respective obligations on human rights, the right to health, the rights of indigenous peoples, local communities, migrants, children, persons with disabilities and people in vulnerable situations and the right to development, as well as gender equality, empowerment of women and intergenerational equity.” Article 7: “Parties acknowledge that adaptation action should follow a country-driven, gender-responsive, participatory and fully transparent approach…” Article 11: “Capacity-building should be guided by lessons learned, including those from capacity-building activities under the Convention, and should be an effective, iterative process that is participatory, cross-cutting and gender-responsive.” 2016 Cop- 22 Decision 21: Extending the work of the Lima Work Program on Gender for three years, to be reviewed at COP25 in 2019, as well as the following new activities: • Requesting both technical bodies and Parties, as well as the Financial Mechanism, to enhance communications and reporting on progress implementing gender-responsive climate policy. • Requesting that a gender perspective be considered in the organization of the technical expert meetings (TEMs) on mitigation and adaptation. • Requesting Parties to integrate local and traditional knowledge in the formulation of climate policy and to recognize the value of the participation of grassroots women in gender- responsive climate action at all levels. • Inviting Parties to appoint and provide support for a national gender focal point for climate negotiations, implementation and monitoring. Mandated Parties to develop possible elements of the gender action plan for consideration at SBI47 (COP23) 2017 COP - 23 Decision -/CP.23: The Gender Action Plan: “To support the implementation of gender- related decisions and mandates under the UNFCCC process, which may include priority areas, key activities and indicators, timelines for implementation, responsible and key actors and indicative resource requirements for each activity, and to further elaborate its review and monitoring processes;” “Gender-responsive climate policy requires further strengthening in all activities concerning adaptation, mitigation and related means of implementation (finance, technology development and transfer, and capacity-building) as well as decision-making on the implementation of climate policies. The GAP recognizes the need for women to be represented in all aspects of the UNFCCC process and the need for gender mainstreaming through all relevant targets and goals in activities under the Convention as an important contribution to increasing their effectiveness.” 2018 COP-23 Decision 3/CP.23: Parties adopted a multi-year Gender Action Plan (GAP) with an initial focus at COP24 on monitoring and reporting of gender-disaggregated climate change impacts (UNFCCC, 2018) 2019 3/CP.25 Enhanced LWPG and its Gender Action Plan (GAP)- The enhanced GAP sets objectives & activities under five priority areas: a) Capacity-building, knowledge management & communication: b) Gender balance, partnership & women’s leadership; c) Coherence; d) Gender-responsive implementation and means of implementation; and e) Monitoring & reporting. 5.2.2 Regional Climate Policy Mali is a member of African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) both of which have adopted climate change. The 23rd African Union Summits of Heads of States and Governments’ Decision on the High-Level Work Program on Climate Change Action in Africa (WPCCAA) Assembly/AU/Dec.538 (XXIII), Malabo 2014 recognizes the need for the Annual Report for the AICCRA project 26 elaboration of gender and youth engagement within the climate change negotiations. This led to the Committee of African Heads of States on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), Gender, and Youth Meeting on Climate Change, organized by the African Union Commission and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Nairobi, Kenya, from 7th to 10th June 2016. Others include: Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); Maputo Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa. Mali adopted the Detailed Program for the Development of Agriculture in Africa (CAADP) at the Maputo summit in July 2003 and signed, within the framework of its implementation, the agreement which commits the countries of the African Union to devote at least 10% of their national budgets to agricultural investments with a view to achieving an agricultural growth rate of at least 6% per year. The country has also subscribed to the principles of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, set out in 2005 by Development Partners. -The African Union Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan 2022 – 2032 provides framework for ensuring climate justice for Africa through inclusive & equitable participation in climate action & climate-resilient development pathways. As at Oct 2021, out of the fifty-four (54) African countries that signed; 89% ratified NDCs (Africa NDC Hub). 5.2.3 National Policy initiatives The Malian government has recognized the need to address the gender dimensions of climate change. To this effect, the NCAGF was developed by the Government of Mali in collaboration with several development partners, including the UNDP, FAO and the World Bank. The NCAGF principle on gender is based essentially on gender equality for sustainable development. Some of the policies include: 1. Integrating NDC actions into the budget. This is an opportunity to consolidate and integrate gender- responsive policies. This involves synergizing how both gender and climate are factored into budget decisions and developing targeted funding windows to address common priorities. The Mali’s revised NDC (2020 -2030) included gender equality considerations. Mali referred to gender in climate finance strategies, policies, and framework. Mali highlighted the importance of women and girls’ climate change adaptation. This was not recognized in the first generation of the NDC plan. 2. The National Action plan on Security; The Resolution was adopted by the United Nations Security Council on 31st October 2000 and is an innovative international norm, which calls for the full and equal participation of women in all initiatives concerning peace and security. Mali has experienced an unprecedented socio-security crisis that has affected the entire population. Women and children have been the most affected and have been impacted Annual Report for the AICCRA project 27 by all manners of violence. NAP document acts as a reference tool for the consideration of specific rights and needs of women and girls in all peace, mediation and national reconciliation processes. 3. Mali's Action Plan (2019-2023): This is the Government of Mali’s response to the United Nations Security Council resolutions on the Women, Peace and Security agenda. It includes emerging issues such as the impact of radicalization and violent extremism against women and girls, the situation concerning displaced women and girls, the role of men in advancing gender equality and women's resilience to climate change. NAP1325 will be implemented in collaboration with national and international partners. It acts under the direction of the MPFEF alongside representatives of fifteen ministries and other bodies like the National Assembly, government programs, Civil Society Organizations (CSO), the United Nations System (UNS) and technical and financial partners (TFP). NAP is specifically aligned with the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali resulting from the Algiers Process, the Government's national strategies and policies in relation to gender, gender- based violence, economic recovery and sustainable development among others. TABLE 2: OTHER GENDER RELEVANT NATIONAL POLICIES AND THEIR OBJECTIVES Polices\stratégies Objectives i National Gender Policy Improving the involvement of women in the country's management process ii National Agriculture Policy (PDA) Promote sustainable, modern and competitive agriculture based primarily on family farms iii National Planning Policy Give economic development planning a territorial dimension, within the framework of an organization of the territory iv National policy of Decentralization space considering decentralization Strengthen the process of democratization of society and adapt the missions and organization of the State to the requirements of promotion of local initiatives v National population Policy Mastering and managing the evolution of the population of Mali Annual Report for the AICCRA project 28 5.3 Identifying the challenges, responsive policies and implementing strategies and programs on gender and climate change in agriculture. 5.3.1 Challenges of mainstreaming gender in agricultural and rural development There are four major challenges affecting the mainstreaming of gender in agricultural and rural development in Mali from which other challenge emanate. These challenges and their causes must be understood for effective gender mainstreaming in the agricultural and rural development sector. These are: 1) Women’s limited access to resources necessary for agricultural production Women have limited access to necessary agricultural development resources (such as natural resources, inputs, and extension services). In Mali and other African countries, over 50% of the rural farmers contribute to agricultural production, food security, and development of the rural economy (FAO, 2011). Discriminative social norms, laws, and regulations about women’s actions and roles, limit their access to productive resources and opportunities and impair their capability to contribute to rural development. The proportion of women who are agricultural landholders in Mali is approximately 20% (FAO, 2019). Land ownership is an invaluable productive factor as it is often the condition for membership in farmer organizations (example irrigation and water user associations, and producer associations). Most extension services and projects target only association members as such non-members are ineligible to benefit from such services. In African households, societal norms preconceive men as breadwinners and women as mere supplementary workers to men, which is the taproot of inequality. Strikingly, only male household heads own and manage household assets and agricultural resources and take major resource management decisions (e.g. deciding on crop varieties, types of fertilizers and chemicals, or the timing of their application). In such cases, women cannot use their knowledge and experience for productive activities. Men are often associated with professional knowledge and skills while women face challenges in access to training and extension services to learn skills to use machines, apply improved management practices, and vaccinate animals. Most agricultural machines are designed to fit men and are not women friendly due to the greater physical effort required. Lack of training and extension services about agricultural technology and machines meeting women’s needs is another factor that hampers women’s participation. Women’s tight schedule discourage them from trainings because training sessions are often conducted during the time when women are busy doing housework. 2) Unpaid care and domestic work limiting women in securing time for productive activities Annual Report for the AICCRA project 29 Women assume responsibilities and roles that attract no economic remuneration - not paid for care and domestic work, such as household chores, child rearing, attending family needs, and caring for the sick - in addition to agricultural work and small businesses. Globally, women spend three times as much time as men do on unpaid care and domestic work (UN Women, 2019). The unpaid heavy workload of the rural women demands more time and energy, and time on community activities. Women undertake the roles of the men when they migrate. 3) Women’s limited participation in decision- making Despite rural women’s important roles in agricultural production, their participation in decision-making tends to be limited at the household, community, and administration levels. Men are leaders of communities, producer groups and cooperatives, excluding women from decision-making. Farmer organizations tend to have a small number of female members; because most often only household heads may belong making voice of women not heard or reflected in-group decisions. Men occupy most of the important positions of local and central government organizations, such as ministries and research institutions, because of the perception that men should take responsibilities of technical and professional work and that women lack the capacity to perform the duties due to missing opportunities to receive professional education. Policies, plans, and technologies tend to be developed on the vague assumption that farmers are men even though about the half of farmers are women. Officials and extension workers who disseminate agricultural technologies and policies to farmers also tend to be men. As a result, little attention has been paid to the situations, issues, and needs of women farmers (UN Women, 2019). 4) Sexual and gender-based violence Rural areas face challenges of traditional customs and, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Globally, Violence against women is a common issue across cultures and societies, and especially in rural areas where the norms is that men should control, and women obey. This is where serious issues of SGBV and farmer clash occur. Girl child is given to marriage, domestic violence (DV), and sexual violence, occur which harm the physical and mental health of women and girls and hinder their social and economic participation. Girl child suffers challenges of early marriage, unwanted pregnancy and dropping out of school because of social norms. Many teenage girls drop out of school because of pregnancy and childbirth and are deprived of education. Violence against women and girls causes severe social and economic damage to rural villages. The cost caused by violence against women and girls is estimated to account for 2% of the GDP of a country (UNFPA, ICRW, 2009). Annual Report for the AICCRA