African, Indigenous and Black Women: Custodians of the Natural World

Words by Natalie Sifuma

Since 2020, topics around humanity’s coexistence with the natural world seem more pressing and relevant. In our day to day, in both profound and subtle ways we are reminded in big and small ways of the importance of sustainability: how we navigate the world and the lasting impact of the choices we make in our relationship with the natural environment. 

Further down the long history road unwinds the intricate connection between Indigenous women and the natural world, as well as their gendered roles as keepers of traditional knowledge.

Throughout the contemporary era, Black women have pioneered and practised sustainable consumption in fashion (even before it was recognised as an industry) and in the continued development of food systems. Evidently, sustainability has, is and will continue to be driven by women. 

Sisters in Climate: the Pan-African Ecofeminist Community moulding social change

Despite Africa’s progression in climate adaptation and sustainability, the gender dynamics on the continent remain complex.  

Beyond the farms, women have long played a fundamental role in the production and consumption of fashion and textiles in Africa, yet there is not enough public data on their contribution to the sustainable fashion movement, despite the growing number of women-owned ethical and sustainable African fashion brands.

Women are active agents who can influence and contribute to social change , but it is apparent that the threads of socio-cultural politics still hinder their accessibility to resources, and fail to recognize their essential contribution to Africa’s development. 

With great consideration of these collective factors around histories and inequalities, and with hope for an Africa that is sustainable and equitable, Sisters in Climate (SiC) is encouraging and facilitating different convergence points for African women to connect and be more involved in advancing Africa’s climate adaptation and sustainable futures.

Our community is founded on Pan-African and ecofeminism principles, and advances Aspiration 6 of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which states: An Africa, whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children.