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 partners. This article is published in recognition of the International Day of Rural Women, established by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2007 and celebrated every year on October 15. The day highlights the essential role of rural women in the fight against poverty and food insecurity, as part of global efforts to advance gender equality and sustainable development.
By Amina Kaza, Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist, Lake Chad Basin Conservation Project – Niger
The Lake Chad Basin Conservation Project aims to strengthen the climate resilience of vulnerable communities and restore fragile ecosystems across the Lake Chad Basin. In a context marked by land degradation, dwindling natural resources, and the visible effects of climate change, the project relies on nature-based climate solutions (NbCS) to meet community needs while protecting biodiversity.
At the heart of this effort, rural women play a pivotal role. Bearing much of the economic and social burden, they contribute to food security, sustainable resource management, and the transmission of knowledge to future generations.
Women in Action: From Market Gardening to Ecological Restoration
In September 2025, two market gardening training sessions brought together 55 women producers from the Zoumouta (Haouri Arewa) and Taïmakon Jouna (Daganou Tagabass) groups. Conducted in a participatory manner, these sessions equipped women with a wide range of technical skills, including:
- Plot demarcation and subdivision
- Land tilling and soil preparation
- Nursery setup, direct seeding, and transplanting
- Crop maintenance: weeding, thinning, controlled watering, natural pest control, plant support, and harvesting
These practical activities strengthen household food self-sufficiency, diversify family diets, and open up new economic opportunities through the sale of garden produce.
Women Leading Fruit Tree Planting Initiatives
Beyond market gardening, women are also actively engaged in fruit tree planting around the Lassouri pond and in other Ramsar-designated sites. These actions help restore degraded areas, increase vegetation cover, and generate additional income through fruit sales.
- The women are involved in every step of the process:
- Land preparation and digging holes
- Transplanting seedlings in fields and home compounds
- Regular watering and monitoring
- Managing plastic waste from nursery pots in compliance with environmental guidelines
Tree planting thus becomes both an ecological tool and a driver of economic empowerment. For many rural women, these trees represent a living legacy that strengthens food security, generates income, and improves household living conditions.
The Key Role of Women in Combating Climate Change
Rural women in the Lake Chad Basin are not passive participants—they are agents of change. Their contributions are evident across several areas:
- Natural resource management: As close observers of land, water, and biodiversity, women adapt agricultural practices to local climatic realities.
- Food and nutritional security: Through diversified gardening and fruit production, they ensure balanced diets and reduce dependence on external markets.
- Economic resilience: By selling their produce, they earn income, strengthen autonomy, and enhance their decision-making power.
- Environmental leadership: Through tree planting and care, they act as active stewards of ecosystems.
These efforts persist despite ongoing challenges: limited land access, low political representation, and socio-economic pressures. Day after day, these women prove that local, women-led solutions can have global impact in the fight against climate change.
Honoring Rural Women
Celebrated on October 15, the International Day of Rural Women takes on special meaning in this context. It reminds us of the importance of recognizing and supporting rural women’s contributions—as producers, protectors, and innovators. Through their leadership and resilience, they are building stronger, more sustainable communities across the Lake Chad Basin.