| Jane Goodall and JGI have
come to represent the importance of women in both conservation
and development initiatives. Our efforts in this area
highlight the crucial role that women play within the
community, not only because their daily activities are
in direct contact with the environment, but because their
role is key in health (especially reproductive health),
education, and the overall success of the family and household.
Women in Central Africa play a critical role in the
commercial bushmeat trade. As the main market buyers
and sellers of bushmeat, they can facilitate conservation
initiatives that document, regulate and reduce the commercial
bushmeat trade. Engaging women market sellers in educational
and commercial associations raises their status in the
community and helps them achieve greater economic independence
by controlling the bushmeat market, working fewer hours,
and diversifying their livelihood strategies.
The importance of engaging women in development initiatives
has been known for some time. However, the conservation
community is only now coming to this realization. JGI
plays a lead role not only as spokespersons for the
plight of women in Africa and abroad, but also as leaders
in formalizing the methodology of working with women
in integrated conservation and development programs.
Our strategy for addressing the role of women in the
community includes designing community-centered conservation
activities that include special activities addressing
women's needs and roles.
- Conservation programs in Africa have achieved only
limited success because of the complex and challenging
scenario of trying to protect the same resources that
communities rely on for survival.
- The majority of women’s work in Africa ties
directly to natural resources and providing the means
for survival to their families.
- Women are therefore key stakeholders in environmental
conservation and exploitation.
- A programmatic focus on the role of women in conservation
issues will allow organizations to directly address
the root causes of environmental exploitation, while
valuing the social, economic and political aspects
of the stakeholder’s participation in such industries.
- If women’s standard of living is improved,
the entire community benefits as well as a result
of their enhanced capabilities as caretakers of children
and their entire families.
Tchimpounga
Reserve
TACARE
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