Actions by and for Women to adapt to Climate Change

The Women in Action project aims to increase climate change adaptation among vulnerable girls and women in the agricultural and forestry sectors in Sud- and Nord-Kivu with benefits in terms of the conservation and restoration of forest biodiversity. Project activities include: (1) developing and equipping sites for climate-smart agricultural and agroforestry practices and nature-based restoration solutions; (2) providing protected-area managers community leaders and private operators with training on positive masculinity and gender-based violence and supporting the establishment of mechanisms to protect the rights of young women and women; and (3) providing technical support to forest concessions in local communities in terms of developing and monitoring simple management plans that prioritize the conservation and restoration of biodiversity and supporting young women’s and women’s adaptation to climate change. The project’s beneficiaries who will receive training on positive masculinity are estimated to be over 5 000 men. In addition the living conditions and food security of over 30 000 household members young women and women will improve. Five local organizations will receive support so they can mentor young women and men in terms of implementing nature-based solutions and adapting to climate change using gender-sensitive methods even outside the project.

The expected results for this project include: (1) increased and more equitable adoption of nature-based climate change adaptation and restoration solutions by and for young women and women in the agricultural and forestry sectors by providing biodiversity conservation and restoration benefits; (2) young women and women have increased control of resources and decisions within their groups and households which are needed for growth and adaptation to climate change—this also includes their income-generating activities with benefits for forest biodiversity; and (3) young women and women have increased influence on communities public services and the private sector in terms of taking into account their climate change and biodiversity restoration and conservation rights issues and solutions.