Municipal advocacy for the integration of women in the management of local resources in Bas Mono 1

As part of the project "Supporting women vulnerable to climate change towards the transition to renewable energy in Togo", the AMD and IFD consortium organized an advocacy meeting with the authorities of the Bas Mono prefecture on June 14, 2024. The event, held at the conference room of the Bas Mono prefecture, aimed to promote the integration of women into local decision-making bodies.

The meeting began with the AMD coordinator welcoming the authorities and participants. She explained the purpose of the meeting before handing over to the IFD's executive director, who detailed the project and emphasized the importance of involving women in the prefecture's decision-making bodies. The project resulted in the formation of a committee of 20 young women farmers and processors of agricultural products, from the canton of Agomé Glozou and the village of Matchalè.

The Secretary General of the Prefecture, representing the Prefect, expressed his gratitude to the consortium for this initiative and commended the work already accomplished. He emphasized the importance of involving women in natural resource management, given their central role in families and communities.

The participants then shared their experiences and the challenges they face in their work, including persistent stereotypes, violence against women, and economic hardship. They presented several grievances, including:

• The need for tractors and pump motors for their fields
• The reduction in gas prices, as many have returned to using firewood after the price increase
• Electrification of the village of Matchalè, with a request for solar panels to improve the study conditions of children
• Reducing the rate of microfinance loans to facilitate investment in their agricultural and processing activities
• Lack of information and non-compliance with land inheritance laws

After hearing the women's concerns, the Secretary-General explained the prefecture's ongoing projects and assured them that their concerns would be conveyed to the prefect. The consortium also requested space for reforestation activities, thus demonstrating women's commitment to local natural resource management. The Secretary-General confirmed the availability of space for reforestation and the need for such initiatives.

The meeting concluded with a snack and discussions on planning future activities. The organizers, participants, and village committee presidents agreed to organize a reforestation activity and monitor the effectiveness of the creation of a natural resource management committee.

This initiative marks an important step towards better integration of women in the management of local resources, thus contributing to an effective transition to renewable energies and improving the living conditions of vulnerable communities in Togo.

THE EMISSARY