Women's Empowerment and Biodiversity Preservation

WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND BIODIVERSITY PRESERVATION

THE LOBATA INITIATIVE

A FLAGSHIP PROGRAMME IN SAO TOME E PRINCIPE

urtles laying eggs in Lobata District firewood and charcoal, birds hunting are beaches in São Tomé performed a jeopardizing the ecosystems in São Tomé e Tlong journey starting from Brazil Principe. and other America marine zones to Africa. This seasonal migration has been in place Thus, responding to the emerging for centuries. At least, four species of challenges, the Lobata Initiative based on turtles arrive in the country, as well as the partnership between The Government, many species of birds. The rich NGOs, Community based Organizations, biodiversity potential is under threat with and UNESCO, has defined Women’s the predatory action of communities Empowerment as an entry point to facing difficult socioeconomic conditions. reaching MDG1 on Poverty Reduction and More than 50% of the Population live 7 on Environmental Sustainability with with less than two dollars a day. The impact on the other Goals. The integrated collection of turtle eggs, use of turtle meat and participatory Programme enabled for local consumption, trade of turtle better livelihood, self confidence and new shells for handicrafts, deforestation for hope among district communities.

Improved Livelihood

AAAgggrrriiicccuuullltttuuurrraaalll PPPrrroooddduuuccctttsss PPPrrroooccceeessssssiiinnnggg

The programme has been implemented by Protection, etc. Almost half of women are the Directorate of Youth and Adult aged from 15 to 35 years Education of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Training in cooperation with Distribution of Women by age group other Ministries (Health, Environment, Communication and Gender) and NGOs 49,30% Marapa for marine ecosystem & fish 22,90% 27,80% processing, and Zatona Adil for agricultural income generating activities. Since 2009, Mrs. Helena Bonfim, Coordinator of the Programme and 15 to 35 36 to 49 50 & +

Director of Youth and Adult Education has been supervising 300 women leaders Among the selected income generating organized in 12 community groups activities, Banana drying and processing among the following areas: Guadalupe, mobilized many women especially in the José Leal Bouças , Plancas I & II , communities of Caldeiras and Santa Luzia. Caldeiras, Agostinho Neto, Morro Peixe , This activity impacted on the chain of Boa Entrada, Santa Luzia and Micolo. values of the banana. Wastage of banana Women are benefitting from the is reduced in using solar dryers and programme with enhanced competences salting. Women got new opportunities of in Integrated and Participatory Literacy, selling their own products. The Primary Health Care, Maternal Health and programme acquired a millet mille for the Early childhood Care, Agricultural production of flour, alleviating the daily Products Processing, Seafood Processing, burden of women in food preparation and Design and Fashion, Environmental allowing better time management.

Self Confidence

SSSeeeaaafffooooooddd PPPrrroooccceeessssssiiinnnggg

Since the Country is comprised of two islands: São Tomé and Principe, Seafood is an important resource. Particularly at Morro Peixe Community which has an established Association of Fishermen and women, Seafood processing is the major source of income. The programme built capacity in conservation and processing of fish and provided locally designed Solar Dryers. Women’s group gained self confidence with competences built. Concrete results are being obtained with quality dry fish produced. Moreover, the Ministry of Education decided the supply processing. Already community groups of the School Feeding Programme, based are sparing money in local financial on community products. It boosted the institutions. motivation of women’s group in Seafood

Cycle of a turtle life

The Lobata Initiative enhanced Departure of adult turtles Environmental Awareness among from Brasil and America maritim the population, focusing the zones preservation of biodiversity in safeguarding turtles, birds and the Migration of Reproduction young turtles Zone in Atlantic Ocean and forest as a whole. Through capacity in Atlantic Africa West Ocean Coast development, the economic value of biodiversity was emphasized. As stated by Mr. Jorge De Carvalho Do Rio, President of NGO Marapa, communities understand bette r that Eggs Laying in Birth of baby São tomé e a living turtle has more value than turtles Principe and Guinea Bay a killed one, namely through Ecotourism, discovering the value

of Biodiversity. Furthermore, during the International Year of Biodiversity, in cooperation with Marapa and The Government, a brochure was published, explaining the various aspects related to the Preservation of Turtles. This guide is a result of two years of Environmental Education in Lobata District schools. While educating the younger generation, the programme is laying the foundation for sustainable solution to environmental challenges. As a matter of fact, the loss of turtles will impact on fishing with reduced quantities of fish, since sharks will have to eat more fish than usual and compete more with fishermen. Consequences on tourism are obvious with less attraction of the Country as a destination. Indeed, the seasonal migration of turtles reveals the interdependency on the earth as far as biodiversity preservation is concerned. America marine zones and Africa Atlantic coast are connected, inter alia, by the turtle route. Both from a scientific approach and touristic approach, the survival of turtles remains a priority for both continents and the World.

Joining efforts in helping communities to undertake environment friendly activities is a promising venture with effects on livelihoods and sustainable development.

Women’s groups in Agostinho Neto, His Excellency Mr. Olinto Da Silva Sousa Guadalupe, Praia das Conchas, Plancas 1 Daio, Minister of Education, Culture and communities chose Design and Fashion as Training noted the commitment and major income generating activity. They performance of women and reaffirmed have been equipped with new skills and the support to community production. sewing machines. Already, school The Government will further accompany uniforms are being designed. The Ministry the development of income generating of Education, in support of the activities activities, as well as other key will enable the supply of uniforms to development aspects, in particular those schools. During his visit to Communities, related to MDGs and Education for All.

New Hope DDDeeesssiiigggnnn aaannnddd FFFaaa ssshhhiiiooonnn The Programme raised new hope in Lobata District. It generated a new socioeconomic dynamics, reflected in the various activities being implemented. Women were also trained in the use of ecological ovens which reduces the consumption of firewood and charcoal.

Additional competences were built in The Lobata Initiative opened a new path dealing with Malaria, Flu, Child Diarrhea, for Sustainable Community Development as well as HIV and AIDS. Citizenship in São Tomé e Principe. It stands as a Education and Gender Equality issues contribution to building green, equitable were part of the training modules, in and inclusive societies for quality life particular issues of Equity, Equality, improvement at grass-root level. In so Gender Based Violence & Conflict doing, it contributes to the ongoing world Resolution, Leadership and Human Rights. process leading to RIO+20 and beyond.