Growing Diversity – West Africa

Read the full report here in French ( )

TITLE OF EXPERIENCE: The role of women in agricultural biodiversity management in the coastal village of Avlékété:

AUTHOR: The 'Yémalin' groups from Avlékété-island and 'Affodoté' of Avlékété-Houta, and The Organisation of Women for the management of Energy, the Environment and the Promotion of Integrated Development (OFEDI)

COUNTRY AND REGION: Avlékété, Coastal Region

ABSTRACT

The village of Avlékété is situated 25km from Cotonou in South Benin in a coastal region which has extremely fragile ecosystems: mangroves with animals and plants adapted to this environment. The local population, some of whom are of Ghanian origin (Ghin and Ewé) fish, farm the land and herd animals. The economic life of the village is driven by women who work individually or in groups.

Traditional society is organised around a village chief. In the past a day of rest, ZOGBODOGAN, was established. It occurs every nine (9) days. Farmers and fishermen take a day of rest on this day and carry out a number of maintenance tasks such as the mending of nets and boats or discuss public life together. This day is also the Vodoun fetishes' holiday. Those who do not observe the day of rest must pay a high fine and can even lose their life or a relative's life.

Problems arose as a result of the demographic explosion and the over-exploitation of biological resources. Since 1995, the NGO OFEDI, has helped women to improve their economic activity through the use of biological resources that respect nature and especially traditional knowledge. The populations of Avlékété have a number of practices and restrictions which allow them to regulate their daily lives and manage natural resources more effectively. With the aim of protecting the biodiversity of the mangroves, a number of diverse, integrated activities have been started to persuade women not to uproot the mangroves. These activities include the creation of economic clubs, the planting of trees, market gardening, awareness raising sessions and the establishment of a Rural Savings and Lending Building Society/Bank (CREP).

CONTACT:

Organisation des Femmes pour la gestion de l’Energie, de l’Environnement et la promotion d’un Développement Intégré (OFEDI), 04 BP 1530, Cotonou – BENIN, Tél. 229 30 29 53 – Fax 229 30 30 84 ; Email : djinadoualice@yahoo.fr