NEW YORK (USA), 06 May 2022 –/African Media Agency AMA/- A veteran Cameroonian activist who works to preserve her country’s forests and improve the lives for those who depend on them is the latest recipient of an UN-backed international environmental prize.
Ccile Ndjebet has been awarded the 2022 Wangari Maathai Forest Champions Award from the Collaborative Partnership on Forests.CPF), which is chaired by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Ms. Ndjebet received the award during a ceremony in Seoul, Republic of Korea at the XV World Forestry Congress.
A voice for equality
This award recognizes Ccile’s energy and dedication for three decades in promoting women’s rights to land, and forests. She has demonstrated that women’s participation in forest governance is essential to sustainable forest management. Maria Helena Semedo (FAO Deputy General Director-General, chair of the CPF which comprises 15 international organisations)
Ms. Ndjebet co-founded the African Womens Network for Community Management of Forests in 2009. It was established by Ms. Ndjebet in 2009. The network now has 20 member countries.
She is a prominent voice in her country and internationally in promoting global awareness about the importance ofGender equality in forest management.
Promotion of women’s involvement
Cameroon’s women account for 70% of all rural dwellers. They rely on the harvesting of wild forest products for their livelihoods.
In some communities, however, women are not allowed to own forest land, inherit it if they die, or plant trees on degraded ground.
Ms. Ndjebet has tirelessly supported the concept Women should be involved in forest management, and have equal rights to forest land resources and forests.. They do this because forests are better preserved and whole communities benefit.
She stated that men are generally aware of the importance of women in improving their families’ living standards. However, it is important that they also agree that women need to have secure access to land and forest in order to continue playing that role and improve upon it.
FAO said that the activist was a driving force in the implementation of forestry laws and good governance. They also established a new approach on community forestry and the restoration and maintenance of degraded lands, through Cameroon Ecology, which she founded over two decades ago.
The organization was established to help women understand sustainability issues and get involved in forest restoration and conservation.
Honouring forest champions
The Forest Champions Award is named after Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize Winner. UN Messenger of Peace.
In her memory, CPF established this award in 2012 to honor people who have contributed to the preservation, restoration, and sustainable management of forests.
Ms. Ndjebet was introduced to Ms. Maathai by her mother in 2009. She encouraged her in her support of women planting trees.
Previous Wangari Maathai Forest Champion Award recipients include Narayan Kaji Shrestha from Nepal, Martha Isabel Pati Ruiz Corzo from Mexico, and Lonidas Nzigiyimpa, a Burundian forestry activist.
Distributed byAfrican MediagencyUN News
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