A woman making butter from the shea fruit. Photo: Barbara Vinceti: Bioversity International.
Marlène Elias, Gender Specialist, Bioversity International & CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry, shares a case study in Burkina Faso on gender and landscape restoration with IUCN. She writes:
The shea tree is a prime example of how considerations of gender may be vitally important for the success of landscape restoration efforts. Gendered experiences and expertise shape the planting, care, management and stewardship of the species, giving rise to great woodland landscapes like Africa’s savannas.
Describing women's specialized knowledge of the shea tree, its care, use, and properties and how different groups value different characteristics of the tree, Marlène notes that landscapes are more than the product of climate, soil, and water. This case study demonstrates the importance of involving women, their knowledge and preferences, in landscape restoration efforts.
Read the full post here as the first in the IUCN's series of case studies on Gender and Restoration.
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