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Democratic Republic of Congo | Listeners’ clubs in Orientale Province to tackle poverty
In the district of Tshopo, rural communities have organized with great enthusiasm into the first 43 Dimitra listeners’ clubs in Orientale Province. These have been set up in the framework of a project implemented by FAO-Dimitra and funded by the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), together with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Their launch was warmly welcomed by the rural populations of this landlocked region, which suffers from extreme poverty and faces particularly difficult living conditions. read the article

Burundi | New Dimitra listeners’ clubs, an example of synergy
Building on the resounding successes in Niger and the Democratic Republic of Congo, several FAO programmes and UN Women have joined forces to launch an ambitious Dimitra listeners’ clubs project in Burundi. FAO in Burundi has asked for the support of FAO-Dimitra to launch these listeners’ clubs, which seek to empower rural communities, especially women and young people. The actors and the contexts may differ, but the approach, based on previous experience, remains focused on participation, gender, social mobilisation and knowledge sharing. read the article

A partnership between FAO and UN Women for Dimitra listeners’ clubs in the DRC and Burundi
FAO and UN Women, both United Nations agencies, signed a memorandum of understanding recently. It is a joint effort to contribute to the socio-economic empowerment of men, women and young people in rural areas of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). To reach this objective, participatory information and communication are being promoted through the Dimitra listeners’ clubs. read the article

… and Dimitra listeners’ clubs in Mauritania and Senegal  read the article

Portraits Series |Ali Abdoulaye
Since 1998, Ali Abdoulaye has been coordinator of the NGO VIE Kande ni Bayra, focal point for FAO-Dimitra in the Sahel. His work in rural areas has given him a strong interest in development activities and gender-related issues. read the article

Niger | From information to action. The multifunctional platform in Gasseda
In Niger, 70% of the population lives in rural areas or in villages with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants. Some 90% of people living in these areas have no access to electricity. Until recently, this also was the situation in Gasseda, a village in the commune of Diantchandou, in the district of Kollo. But several months ago, the community benefited from a multifunctional platform, provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). read the article

Accelerating economic empowerment for rural women
Consultative workshop to launch a joint IFAD, FAO, WFP and UN Women programme in Niger. read the article

CoOPequity | Promoting governance and gender equality in producer organizations in Niger
Agricultural producer organizations (POs) play a crucial role in the fight against poverty and food insecurity. But in many cases, specific groups, such as women and young people, are excluded from the services and benefits that POs offer. The active participation of producers – including of women and young people – is key to the good governance of POs and to strengthening their capacity to influence policy. It is in this context that the CoOPequity programme is working in Niger to support the implementation of policies and measures that encourage the development of equitable, efficient and economically viable POs. read the article

Mini-fairs for the exchange of good practices in Niger and Burkina Faso
In December 2012, FAO’s “Capitalization of good practices in support of agricultural production and food security” project organized two mini-fairs to exchange good practices. One was held in Niamey, Niger and the other in Founzan, Burkina Faso. These meetings enabled the men and women who attended these events to share and exchange the good practices documented during this four-year project on agricultural input management. read the article

Benin | Micro-gardens against malnutrition
In 2010, Martin Tohou, Executive Director of the NGO GRAAB and focal point for FAO-Dimitra in Benin, participated in the Knowledge Share Fair in Niamey (Niger). He was particularly captivated and inspired by the cultivation of vegetables in micro-gardens, and decided to create them at home, in Benin. read the article

Togo | Crocheting against waste
A crochet hook – that is all it takes for Baraka Oukpedjou to get rid of her household plastic waste. She lives in Sokodé, Togo’s second biggest town, and is one of 100 people taking part in training workshops organized by German NGO Urbis Foundation. A story on how to link an income generating activity to recycling. read the article

Ethiopia | Dr. Bogaletch Gebre, Winner of the 2012-2013 King Baudouin African Development Prize
Women’s rights campaigner Bogaletch Gebre was awarded the Prize “for her inspirational leadership and her determination to build on a remarkable personal journey to empower the women of Ethiopia and establish a true community-based movement for social change.” The Prize will be presented to Dr. Gebre on 22 May 2013 at the Royal Palace in Brussels. read the article

Mali | Empowering women herbalists in Bamako and Segou
Aide au Développement de la Médecine Traditionnelle – Aidemet for short – is a Malian NGO whose main goal is to develop and enhance the use of traditional medicine’s resources in the health, environment, social and cultural sectors. It was launched in 2003. A recent action-research project aimed at social and economic empowerment for women through the development of local knowledge of plants has increased income, knowledge and self-esteem for women herbalists in Bamako and Segou. read the article

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