My name is Jemimah Nyangasi Wabuko, and I come from Kenya. For me, justice is not an abstract idea—it is deeply personal and rooted in lived realities. I believe justice means ensuring that communities least responsible for climate change are not the ones paying the highest price.

Today, I stand in solidarity with girls in Turkana County who are courageously demanding more than promises—they are demanding a world where their rights are not only written on paper but truly realized in their everyday lives. In a region where prolonged drought has become the norm, these girls are navigating challenges that go far beyond the climate crisis itself. Their education is frequently interrupted, as families struggle to access basic needs like water. Many are forced to take on increased care responsibilities at home, while opportunities that should shape their futures continue to shrink.

Their stories are a powerful reminder that climate justice cannot be separated from gender equality. When climate shocks hit, it is often girls and young women who bear the heaviest burden—yet their voices remain the most critical in shaping solutions.

That is why I am calling on the Government of Kenya to take urgent and intentional action. We need meaningful investment in gender-responsive climate adaptation—solutions that prioritize access to clean water, support climate-resilient schools, and strengthen social protection systems that safeguard girls in climate-affected regions.

Because justice, at its core, must be felt—not just promised.