Cameroon Played Host To 2nd Forum on Women's Economic Empowerment to Boost Agroecology

 

Women brainstorming on Agroecology and the significant changes in climate 

Esse, a locality in Mefou and Afamba Division of the Centre Region, has played host to the 2nd edition of the Forum on Women's Economic Empowerment (FAEF) from August 1-3, 2024. The event, organized by the RADD ( Réseau des Acteurs du Développement Durable) network, aims to promote peasant agroecology and green jobs as resilient solutions to climate change.

The forum comes at a critical time for Cameroon's rural economy. The ongoing growing season has been marked by erratic rainfall patterns, with alternating light showers and prolonged droughts leading to poor crop germination and growth. This has raised concerns about the potential for famine, a drastic drop in rural women's incomes, and widespread poverty.

Marie Crescence Ngobo, Executive Secretary of RDD, Organiser of the workshop 

The RDD says"The threat of poor harvests and the loss of peasant seeds is real, and the entire crop system is in danger, hence the urgency of action," the RADD network said.

RADD, which stands for is a network that works towards inclusive and sustainable development. As part of its program on women's economic empowerment, RADD organized the first edition of the Forum on Women's Economic Empowerment (FAEF) in 2023.

The 2024 edition of the forum was held under the theme "Peasant agroecology, a lever for the development of a rural economy, resilient to the effects of climate change." This theme reflects the pressing challenges facing Cameroon's rural communities in the face of climate change.

Cross section of participants 

In recent years, Cameroon's agricultural sector has been grappling with the impacts of climate change, including unpredictable rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and rising temperatures. These changes have disrupted traditional farming practices and threatened the livelihoods of rural communities, particularly women, who play a crucial role in food production and household income.

FAEF2 providea a platform for these rural actors to come together, share their experiences, and find local, appropriate, and sustainable solutions to the challenges they face. Experts in various fields, including agroecology, processing, and green economy job development, educated participants on techniques and strategies to adapt to the changing climate and build resilience.

"From production to processing, experts in the different fields educated women and young people on the techniques that allow them to adapt to climate change or build their resilience," the RADD network said.

The forum's specific objectives included training participants in agro-ecological production techniques, strengthening their capacities in the valorization of agroecology products, and building their skills in the development of green economy jobs. These objectives were designed to empower rural women and promote sustainable agricultural practices that can withstand the impacts of climate change.

The 2nd edition of the Forum on Women's Economic Empowerment is a significant event for Cameroon's rural development agenda. By focusing on peasant agroecology and green jobs, the forum created a more inclusive and resilient rural economy, one that can provide sustainable livelihoods for rural communities, especially women, in the face of the ongoing climate crisis.

The forum on Women's Economic Empowerment attracted a diverse range of participants, including smallholder farmers, community-based organizations, government officials, and development partners. Amongst which were the representatives of the Ministries of Women Empowerment and theFamily, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry and the Ministry of Small and Medium-sized enterprises, Social Economy and Handicraft. The three-day event  featured a variety of activities, such as interactive workshops, field visits, and networking sessions, all designed to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and the development of practical solutions.

The second edition of the forum saw the participation of some 300 persons who expressed their sincere thanks to RDD for the knowledge gained and showed renewed hope that there will implement the lessons learnt back in their respective communities.

By

Munya Charles Babila