In commemoration of the International Human Rights Day, We the People organized a capacity strengthening workshop on December 10, 2024, for 30 community women focused on identifying and addressing ecological injustice.  The event which held in Calabar, Cross River state highlighted that women experience increased marginalization and are disproportionately impacted by ecological risks, including those stemming from mining, deforestation, and climate change.  The workshop aimed to explain these dynamics and equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to enhance their resilience and advocate effectively for solutions.

The capacity-building activity brought together women from 5 communities in Cross River state namely Idundu, Orok Ekon, Awi, Esierebom and Obutung. The selected communities are faced by massive loss of mangroves vegetation, increased risks of climate change induced floods, biodiversity loss and pollution occasioned by mining activities, as well as increased resource driven conflicts. Participants exchanged experience and ideas on strategies for collaborative responses to the threats they face.

In her presentation, environmental and human rights activist, Eme Okang, highlighted the fact that women have higher vulnerability ratio during ecological crises when compared to men, especially in terms of resource scarcity, economic dependency and conflict. The presentation espoused the disproportionate nature of the impacts of communal violence, eroding of livelihood sources  and competition over resources, maintaining that women are more vulnerable to abuses and risks then men within the framework of ecological crises.

Participants resolved to engage and collaborate more effectively within their communities to address negative impacts and inequalities occasioned by ecological threats.