What does a Gender-Just Climate Transition Mean for Health Systems in Africa?

Increasingly there has been a call to look beyond climate mitigation and adaptation to longer term systems transformation to secure a safe and just path that ensures planetary health and human well-being. Efforts to reshape social and economic systems and strengthen resilience are gaining traction, with growing support for a 'just transition' to low-carbon, sustainable economies that ensures ‘no one is left behind,’ especially those facing multiple forms of discrimination based on sex, income, age, race, gender, or gender identity. A fundamental part of this just transition involves tackling the root causes of inequalities and inequities, which includes patriarchy, centering gender equality and women’s empowerment. So, what does a gender-just transition mean for health systems in Africa amid the challenges posed by the climate crisis?

This webinar brings together a multidisciplinary panel to explore what a gender-just transition means and looks like for health systems in Africa. Panelists bring perspectives from health policymaking, human resources for health, and health economy to discuss what steps can be taken to begin working towards a gender-just transition in the health sector.

Session Objectives:

• To examine how the concept of a 'just transition' looks like and means for health systems strengthening in the context of climate change to advance gender equality, health equity and planetary health.

• To explore how health systems in Africa can integrate gender-just principles amid the climate crisis.

• To discuss ways for balancing immediate crisis recovery with long-term investments in gender-just transitions in health systems in Africa.

About UNU-IIGH

The UNU International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, operates as the designated UN think tank specialising in global health. With a mandate to facilitate the translation of research evidence into policies and tangible actions, UNU-IIGH serves as a hub connecting UN member states, academia, agencies, and programmes. Established through a statute adopted by the United Nations University Council in December 2005, the institute plays a pivotal role in addressing inequalities in global health. UNU-IIGH contributes to the formulation, implementation, and assessment of health programmes.