Côte d’Ivoire Hosts South-South Exchange to Promote Gender Equality and Combat Deforestation
A South-South exchange trip, initiated by the African Development Bank (AfDB) through the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), brought together delegations from Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire to share knowledge and experiences on the implementation of an information system for REDD+ safeguards and benefit-sharing mechanisms.
The exchange, held from December 10 to 12, 2024, featured a workshop led by Bruno Zouré, a gender expert and Bank consultant, who emphasized the importance of understanding gender as a social construct.
“Gender refers to the roles, behaviours, and responsibilities culturally assigned to men and women,” he explained. “Achieving social justice requires analyzing inequalities rather than focusing solely on numerical equality.”
Nathalie Gahunga, Head of the Bank’s Gender and Women Empowerment Division, applauded the commitment of both delegations to integrating gender considerations into climate initiatives.
She highlighted the significance of sharing experiences to enhance project effectiveness and inclusivity.
The workshop introduced participants to tools for integrating gender into climate policies, such as gender-sensitive budgeting and gender marker systems. Additionally, the “Leave No One Behind” concept and a human rights-based approach were discussed to ensure equitable development in REDD+ initiatives.
A field visit to the Agnéby-Tiassa region (Agboville) provided practical insights into REDD+ implementation. The Burkina Faso team engaged with beneficiaries of the PROMIRE project (Promoting zero-deforestation cocoa production), observing a 1,763-hectare forest restoration site and a 2.45-hectare cocoa agroforestry site.
Farmers like Sylvie N’Gbesso demonstrated the positive impact of agroforestry techniques on production and ecosystem restoration.
The initiative, financed by CIF and implemented by AfDB in collaboration with Burkina Faso’s government, emphasizes the importance of gender inclusion in climate action and sustainable land management.
