DRC NGO highlights rural women’s role in forest conservation during closing of Women’s

Kinshasa March 31, 2026 - The NGO National Alliance for Support and Promotion of Indigenous and Community Heritage Areas and Territories in the Democratic Republic of Congo (ANAPAC DRC) has emphasized the central role of rural women in forest conservation and local development as part of activities marking the closing of Women’s Month. The event, held in Kinshasa alongside celebrations linked to the International Day of Forests, highlighted women’s contribution to agriculture, forest product processing, and the supply of urban markets in a country where forests remain a key pillar of economic and social life. According to ANAPAC DRC, its Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) project has supported Indigenous and local women across several provinces through income-generating activities and financial assistance aimed at strengthening both livelihoods and environmental stewardship. Project representatives reported that women’s committees established under the initiative have received grants ranging between 5,000 and 10,000 US dollars, alongside agricultural tools and processing equipment designed to reduce workload and improve productivity in rural communities. Officials involved in the program said the initiative has contributed not only to income growth but also to social empowerment, citing increased participation of women in public meetings and community decision-making processes. Participation levels were reported to have risen significantly, with women now taking a more active role in local development discussions. The project, implemented across multiple biocultural landscapes, supports activities such as cassava, maize, rice, peanut, bean cultivation, livestock farming, and fish farming, with the goal of strengthening economic autonomy while promoting sustainable resource management. Speaking during the event, representatives of ANAPAC DRC stressed that conservation efforts cannot succeed without integrating local communities, particularly women, who play a major role in managing forest-based livelihoods. They also called on public authorities to take greater ownership of such initiatives to ensure long-term sustainability beyond external funding cycles, especially in areas where rural women face limited access to processing infrastructure and markets. The organization further underscored the importance of continued support for Indigenous and local women, noting that strengthening their economic resilience is closely linked to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation in the country.