Dr. Oulie Keita, Executive Director of Greenpeace Africa
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At the 69th edition of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York, Dr. Oulie Keita, Executive Director of Greenpeace Africa, participated in a panel discussion on women’s leadership in climate action. Organized by the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network, the Permanent Mission of Senegal to the United Nations, and the World Madam Foundation, the event highlighted the central role of women in the fight against climate change. Through her advocacy, Dr. Keita stressed the urgency of adopting more inclusive climate policies and ensuring equitable access to funding for women. In an exclusive interview, she reflects on the challenges ahead and the solutions needed to establish a fairer and more effective climate governance in Africa.
Excerpts of INTEVIEW
Q- As the leader of an organization as influential as Greenpeace Africa, what has been your biggest challenge as a woman in the environmental sector?
I’ve navigated male-dominated spaces in the environmental sector, where leadership expectations often exclude women, especially in high-level decision-making. While Greenpeace Africa champions inclusivity, broader movements still do under represent African women, who are vital to addressing climate change. My commitment is to challenge these norms, uplift women’s and young people’s voices, and show that transformative leadership is diverse and essential to achieving both environmental and gender justice for a fair, sustainable future.
Q -You emphasized that climate justice is a gender issue. What concrete measures should governments and organizations take to ensure that women are at the heart of climate policies?
Governments in the Global South must embed gender into climate policies by coordinating across sectors, increasing funding and capacity-building for women-led initiatives, strengthening legal protections, and enhancing data collection and community partnerships. International bodies should enforce accountability with robust reporting, targeted funding, and technical support, while also strengthening international legal frameworks, fostering global partnerships, adopting intersectional strategies, and ensuring fair resource distribution to bridge the inequality gap between the Global North and South.
Q- What roles do African women play in the fight against climate change? (don’t hesitate to mention specific GPAf countries)
African women are vital in the fight against climate change, actively creating solutions and influencing policy. In Kenya, they challenge laws that threaten small-scale farmers and food sovereignty. In Cameroon and the DRC, they lead Indigenous efforts to protect the Congo Basin. In South Africa, they oppose neo-colonial exploitation of resources and advocate for a fair transition to renewable energy. Across the continent, women are driving initiatives to reduce plastic pollution and push for stronger policies. At Greenpeace Africa, we support and amplify the voices of these women, recognizing that achieving climate justice relies on their leadership and solutions.
Q -You recently visited the association of women fish processors in Kayar, whose economic activity is threatened by private interests. What urgent measures must be taken to protect them, and how can international allies support these efforts?
Women in Kayar have long maintained a deep bond with the ocean, which has supported their families for generations. However, multinational companies are now overfishing the Senegalese coast, depleting key species that once served as dietary staples for local communities—especially the Lébou. Instead of being consumed locally, these fish are turned into fishmeal and oil for export to Europe and Asia. Greenpeace Africa demands an immediate ban on these practices, a halt to the construction of new factories, and a comprehensive audit of existing ones. We also call for addressing the root issue: reducing the demand from importing countries by promoting ethical sourcing and raising awareness about the impact on local food security and marine sustainability.
Q -You mentioned the Congo Basin as the second-largest carbon sink in the world, yet it is under threat. What urgent actions must be taken to protect it, and how can international allies support these efforts?
The Congo Basin, the world’s second-largest carbon reserve, requires three crucial measures for its protection: implementing a 25-year moratorium on harmful industrial exploitation (including logging, mining, and oil extraction), acknowledging and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples who are its historical guardians—rather than excluding them through conservation approaches that act as barriers—and mobilizing global financial support specifically for conservation, mitigation, and adaptation efforts. This equitable funding is essential, as the countries within the basin lack the resources needed to safeguard this vital climate heritage.
Q- You referenced the Red Card Campaign and the link between gender-based violence and climate justice. How does gender-based violence hinder women’s leadership in climate action, and what solutions do you propose?
Gender-based violence significantly threatens women’s existence, restricting their freedom and decision-making participation. Women in climate activism face violence that undermines their leadership and effectiveness. The link between violence against women and climate justice is clear; when women feel unsafe, their leadership capacity declines. To address these issues, solutions must go beyond environmental policies to confront systemic inequalities. Stronger protections for women activists and safe spaces for their involvement in climate decision-making are essential. Policies should hold offenders accountable. Governments need to enhance legal protections for women activists and ensure consequences for perpetrators. Financial support for women-led climate initiatives is vital for their safety and success. Global advocacy efforts, such as the Red Card Campaign, should be bolstered to raise awareness and promote policy reforms. Ensuring women’s full participation in climate governance is crucial for their voices to be heard and valued.
Q -You concluded your speech with a strong call to action: investing in women’s leadership, supporting women-led climate initiatives, and amplifying their voices in decision-making spaces. What concrete commitments do you hope to see emerge from CSW69?
This week’s discussions highlighted the urgent need for concrete commitments to support women-led climate initiatives. Stakeholders, including governments, donors, and the private sector, are urged to move beyond promises and actively finance these efforts, with a recommendation that at least 50% of climate funding be allocated to women-led projects, especially grassroots organizations. Governments should adopt gender-sensitive budgeting and promote female leadership in climate negotiations and policy development. It is crucial for global and regional platforms to amplify the voices of African women, incorporating their experiences and solutions into climate policies. Additionally, independent evaluation mechanisms are necessary to monitor progress and ensure that commitments result in meaningful actions in the most affected countries.