By Monique Daokai, Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist, Cameroon
In the floodplain of Waza-Logone, in Petté, ecological restoration is becoming a reality led by local communities. Two community initiative groups (GICs) , GIC ATAPALAY, composed entirely of women, and GIC KAKA, a youth-led group, are actively engaged in reforestation, solidarity, and inclusive leadership.
GIC ATAPALAY: Women Combining Solidarity and Reforestation
GIC ATAPALAY embodies a solidarity-based economy rooted in local realities. By storing and selling maize, the women created a community fund that allows them to cover medical expenses, school fees, and family emergencies.
With support from the Lake Chad Basin Conservation Project, they were granted a two-hectare plot where they planted around 850 acacia, baobab, and moringa seedlings.
The species were chosen for both ecological and nutritional reasons. Baobab leaves are widely used in cooking, while its nutrient-rich fruit contributes to infant nutrition. Moringa, cultivated even in household yards, is valued for its medicinal and nutritional properties.
This reforestation effort is more than just an environmental act—it also brings social recognition. Many husbands now contribute financially or take care of the children while their wives work in the fields.
“Sometimes my husband gives me money when I don’t have any for our savings group. When I go to the plot, he looks after the children.” – Member of GIC ATAPALAY
Since the start of the project, these women have been participating in village committee meetings, speaking on behalf of their peers, and influencing local decisions on resource management. Their presence in spaces once reserved for men reflects growing legitimacy and strengthened women’s leadership.
GIC KAKA: Youth Anchored in the Land
GIC KAKA, made up of young men and women, was allocated a 30-hectare area within the community forest. Its members chose to fully reforest the site to restore biodiversity and curb rural exodus.
“Before, we used to leave for the city. But since the start of the reforestation, we’ve decided to stay and invest in our community.” – Member of GIC KAKA
This initiative enables young people to mobilize, assert their role in local development, and embrace ecological leadership and long-term community engagement.
Women and Youth: Leaders of Change
These two experiences demonstrate the capacity of rural communities to innovate when given access to land, institutional support, and social recognition. Together, women and youth are transforming the Waza-Logone plain into a space of shared resilience—where land is no longer just a resource, but also a vehicle for autonomy and social justice.
Beyond the numbers, these initiatives reflect a shift in power dynamics within rural areas. Women are asserting themselves as resource managers and community spokespersons. Youth—often perceived as disengaged—are reinvesting in their local environment as a space for action and for the future.
United, they are reshaping land governance into a more inclusive system, where customary practices evolve in response to contemporary aspirations.
The Lake Chad Basin Conservation Project is funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Alinea International, in collaboration with the Lake Chad Basin Commission and several other partners.
