In Côte d’Ivoire, women lead the charge in forest conservation 

By Vanissa Diring

In the Haut-Sassandra region of west-central Côte d’Ivoire, miles of wooded savannah give way to lush, green tropical forests.  This transition zone is home to remarkable biodiversity, with emblematic species including chimpanzees, duikers and pangolins, as well as bird species such as the Double-spurred Spurfowl (Pternistis bicalcaratus), and the Slender-billed Weaver (Ploceus pelzelni). 

Once dominated by dense forest vegetation, the region has undergone heavy deforestation. According to a 2015 study, the area of natural forest in west-central Côte d’Ivoire fell from 37,749 hectares in 2001 to 7,844 hectares in 2013 (79.22% drop) due to illegal logging and land expansion for agricultural expansion.   

With support from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), SOS-Forêts, launched a conservation initiative, “Conservation Champions” in 2024, supporting 110 women in three towns in the region namely Daloa, Issia and Vavoua. 

The program aims at training women to become conservation ambassadors in their communities, building their capacities and promoting their financial empowerment. Today, change is underway: long marginalized in decision-making related to natural resources, women are becoming key players in conservation.  

“Women are defending their environment with unparalleled determination, because by protecting biodiversity, they are ensuring a sustainable future for their children and for the planet”, says Marius  Kamelan, Executive Director of SOS-Forêts.  

Additionally, SOS-Forêts has organized training sessions for 25 women leaders from six villages – Gueguhé, Ahoutoukro, Niouboua, Zokoguhé, Bonoufla and Akanzakro on sustainable resource management and FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade) regulations.  

These skills have enabled them to play a central role in the governance of natural resources. In addition, they have been supported in the process of registering forest plantations on behalf of women’s associations, a key step in ensuring the sustainable management of these areas and guaranteeing their long-term ownership. 

Forest preservation cannot function without viable economic alternatives. Aware of this challenge, SOS-Forêts has trained 110 women in mushroom production, enabling them to diversify their sources of subsistence, while reducing their dependence on wood. Six mushroom beds have been set up to produce oyster mushrooms, thus contributing to the food security of local communities.  

Now owners of community forests, these women do more than just harvest wood: they ensure sustainable management of the forests, while combating illegal logging. Further, the women have collectively reforested 15 hectares of land, allocated to them by   community authorities. 

Two plots have been registered under the Women’s Cooperative, while four others are in the process of being registered. This land ownership marks a significant step forward in land tenure, and the sustainable management of this critical resource. 

“Today, we have the land, the knowledge and the strength to preserve our forests and ensure a sustainable future for our community,” says Kouamé Adjoï Claudine, president of the Ahoutoukro Women Group. 

Further, the women have received training in advocacy, communication and networking techniques, strengthening their ability to effectively defend their rights, raise awareness of environmental issues within their communities, and establish solid partnerships with local and international players. 

“This project transforms our needs into real opportunities for change, enabling us to protect the forest while ensuring a better future for our communities,” says Vanié Louhelou, president of the Bonoufla Women Group. 

To maximize the impact of this project, it is crucial to support the scaling-up of these initiatives throughout the Haut-Sassandra region. Expanding training programs, extending sustainable economic production projects such as myciculture farms and soilless agriculture, and strengthening collaboration with local authorities will enable us to reach more women and more communities. Through empowerment, women are increasingly becoming key players in biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management, transforming not only their communities, but also the region’s approach to natural resource governance.  

“Each of these women is not only a source of pride, but above all a hope of inspiration for future generations, providing concrete solutions for the protection of our forests and meeting the needs of their communities in a sustainable way”, concludes Kamelan.