Alternatives to mangrove degradation and improvement of women well-being
Full Solution
Women filling in bags for the mangrove nursery
OPED
Focused on women-led restoration of the degraded mangroves of the Equatorial African Rainforest, OPED is transforming the local fishing industry by providing energy-efficient alternatives to cutting down trees to smoke fish, a primary driver of mangrove forest loss in the region. New processing techniques are ensuring the regeneration and conservation of local mangrove forests while reducing the amount of time spent foraging for wood, as well as the frequency of respiratory illness.
Last update: 08 Feb 2023
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Context
Challenges addressed
Reduce human pressure on mangroves and increase women resilience.
Cameroon loses more than 3,000 ha of mangroves per year out of a total surface of approximately 200,000 ha (ca. 1.1%), according to UNEP's report on the state of mangroves in Western Africa (2007, for 1980-2006). Statistics attribute 80% of mangrove losses to fish smoking practices, which are the main subsistence activity of women in the Cameroonian coastal zone.
Location
Kribi, Cameroon, Central Africa
West and Central Africa
Process
Building Blocks
Data collection and participatory identification of problems
Data collection through meetings with women from 8 communities. Analysis of data by Master students from Cameroon.
Enabling factors
Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: ‘Alternative à la dégradation des mangroves et mieux-être des femmes’” from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.
Lesson learned
Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: ‘Alternative à la dégradation des mangroves et mieux-être des femmes’” from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.
Women capacity-building and exchange of experiences
Training on improved smokehouses, conflict resolution and alternative options for fire instead of mangrove wood. Exchange of experiences between women.
Enabling factors
Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: ‘Alternative à la dégradation des mangroves et mieux-être des femmes’” from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.
Lesson learned
Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: ‘Alternative à la dégradation des mangroves et mieux-être des femmes’” from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.
Community management
Women organized in initiative groups in each community. Community saving allowing for the regeneration of 3 ha of mangrove forest.
Enabling factors
Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: ‘Alternative à la dégradation des mangroves et mieux-être des femmes’” from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.
Lesson learned
Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: ‘Alternative à la dégradation des mangroves et mieux-être des femmes’” from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.
Alternative livelihoods
Shrimp farming and cassava cultivation to reduce the pressure on mangroves and increase the resilience of women to climate change impacts.
Enabling factors
Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: ‘Alternative à la dégradation des mangroves et mieux-être des femmes’” from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.
Lesson learned
Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: ‘Alternative à la dégradation des mangroves et mieux-être des femmes’” from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.
Impacts
Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: ‘Alternative à la dégradation des mangroves et mieux-être des femmes’” from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.
Beneficiaries
Women living in mangrove areas
Story
Only available in French. To read this section in French, please download the document "Blue Solution Template in French: ‘Alternative à la dégradation des mangroves et mieux-être des femmes’” from the bottom of this page, under 'Resources'.
Connect with contributors
Other contributors
Jonas Kemajou Syapze
Organisation pour l’Environnement et le Développement Durable (OPED)
