Top 5 Trees Empowering Women in African Drylands
12th June 2024
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In the drylands of Africa, rural communities continue to be impacted by the devastating effects of the climate crisis, as deforestation, unpredictable weather, and wildfires are on the rise. And because women are more likely to depend on trees and the land for their survival, it's women who feel this impact the most.
But things are changing. Coming together, women are rewriting the narrative. By working to protect forests, grow trees, and restore land, women are growing incomes and leading the charge towards a brighter, greener future.
Join us as we take a look at the top five trees, empowering women in rural African drylands:
- Baobab
- Boswellia
- Shea
- Moringa
- Cashew
1. Baobab
Baobab leaves are packed full of vitamins, which can provide a vital source of nutrition for many rural women, who rely on natural resources for their survival. The fruit can also be harvested and sold at local markets, helping to provide people a sustainable way of growing incomes.
Sometimes dubbed the 'camel tree' - a mature boabab can retain up to 26,000 gallons of water in its trunk and roots, helping to restore degraded land and boost soil fertility - crucial ingredients for growing crops.
2. Boswellia (frankincense)
Tapping Boswellia trees allows farmers to collect the frankincense resin, which can be sold at markets, and is often used in things like essential oils or as incense.
In Ethiopia, we've been working in partnership with women in the Metema region, where Boswellia trees are at risk of extinction. Coming together to share the skills and training needed to protect this ancient tree species, women are challenging traditional gender roles by taking on leadership roles and leading the charge for sustainable tapping techniques, helping to protect and restore 9,563 hectares of forest.
3. Shea
In many parts of rural African drylands, harvesting shea offers a lifeline out of poverty for women living rurally. Why? Because shea nuts can be harvested and processed to make shea butter - a product commonly used in beauty cosmetics worldwide. Making an income from selling shea butter can offer many women a means to grow sustainable incomes.
Our community-led projects in Ghana are empowering women with the tools and training they need to increase shea butter production. From knowing when exactly to start harvesting, to investing in machines to help make the process easier, women have seen their production grow from 1 bag per week to 10 bags a day, providing a crucial boost to their incomes.
4. Moringa
The leaves of moringa trees are a superfood. Ready for harvesting within a few months, they are packed with vitamins, protein, iron and calcium. When used in cooking, moringa leaves are a crucial supply of nutritious food, especially during the dry season when little else grows.
With its nutritional and medicinal properties, it’s no surprise that moringa features in our women’s group-led gardens across Africa’s drylands!
5. Cashew
Though most well-known for their nuts, cashew trees are packed full of other benefits! When cashew trees drop their leaves, they can be composted and used to improve soil fertility. Cashew fruit can also be made into juice and jam, which is sold at market to boost women’s incomes.
On top of this, cashew trees are drought-resistant, helping to stabilise degraded soil, keep water in the earth, and support communities to grow resilience to the effects of the climate crisis.
By planting trees and managing the land sustainably, women are not only protecting the environment, but becoming independent earners and shining as community leaders, paving the way for a fairer future.