Empowering Women in Côte d'Ivoire's Cocoa Sector
In Côte d'Ivoire, women face barriers to participating in decision-making processes, both in households and communities, which limits their access to employment and income opportunities. Fairtrade Africa (FTA) has been working since 2016 to address these challenges, initially providing certification support and leadership training to cocoa producers. With the GATA project co-funded by GIZ and FTA, the Women's School of Leadership (WSOL) was established to help bridge the gender gap. However, more must be done to ensure women gain long-term financial independence and leadership roles.
Objective and Approach
The GATA project aims to empower at least 1000 women across 12 communities by equipping them with leadership skills through the WSOL and facilitating access to financial services via the VSLA model. This integrated approach strengthens the role of gender ambassadors, who share their knowledge and experiences to challenge traditional power dynamics between men and women. By focusing on leadership development, mentoring, and financial inclusion, the project creates an enabling environment for women to take on decision-making roles within their communities and cooperatives. Ultimately, the goal is to foster an inclusive, sustainable cocoa sector where women actively participate in shaping its future.
What has been achieved so far?
So far, FTA has established 96 village savings and loan associations (VSLAs) in 12 communities. Through three training workshops, gender ambassadors and women have gained valuable skills. This has improved their economic and social empowerment and enhanced their ability to lead. Additionally, gender ambassadors are now better equipped to influence policies at various levels.