ERuDeF female staff ahead of this year’s Women’s Day raised their voices in favour of an international network to guarantee the wellbeing of women involved in conservation and environmental protection. This was one of several resolutions taken at a symposium on March 7, 2016 at the conference hall of the ERuDeF Institute of Biodiversity and Non-Profit Studies (EIBiNS), Buea.
By Che Azenyui Bruno
At the symposium attended by ERuDeF President/CEO, Louis Nkembi, and other staff of the organization, members discussed issues affecting African women with emphasis on the woman as an actor in the field of environmental protection and wildlife conservation.
The ERuDeF Gender Focal Person, Sheron Endah, presented the African woman both as an invaluable contributor to development as well as key player in land degradation, notably through her agricultural engagements.
“The African woman is not only the hardest hit by desertification, deforestation and misguided environmental policies, but is also the biggest dependant on the environment and forest for family sustenance,” said Endah.
She added, “African women produce up to 80% of the basic food commodities, they are directly responsible for the health and nutrition of their families, they have multiple roles to play at home and in society and respond to the social and economic expectations of their families at the same time. They do up to three-quarters of all agricultural work in addition to domestic responsibilities. They understand the environment and forest better due to their direct engagement in activities related thereto.”
It was agreed that an international network for women in conservation will not only go a long way to mainstream women in activities that seek to protect the environment and conserve forest resources, but will equally serve as a forum for best practices sharing amongst women engaged in conservation related careers.
According to EIBiNS Acting Director, Akeh Nug, despite the numerous challenges that women encounter everyday like gender inequality, obnoxious traditional practices and complex problems, the African woman remains an inevitable partner in national development.
Other challenges that hinder the success of the African woman, Akeh said, includes unproductive farming practices like slash and burn, farming along slopes and in water catchment areas.
Responding to questions from reporters after the event, ERuDeF CEO said women hold important positions in the organization be they as project coordinators, program directors or departmental heads.
He acknowledged the veritable role women can play in enhancing the development of any organization even in fields like conservation, which to him had hitherto been considered male dominated.
Other activities that characterized the celebration of the 2016 International Women’s Day at ERuDeF included a football encounter between the male and female staff; the males won 5-4 after post-match penalty shoot-out, symbolic tree planting at the Mile 18 water catchment and a religious service at the Presbyterian Church Great Soppo Congregation.
The International Women’s Day was celebrated under the theme; Pledging for Parity.
