A women’s association in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo

In Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo, where over 80% of households rely on charcoal, unsustainable production is a major driver of forest degradation. This study examines how the women’s association AFEVADES, in collaboration with CFT sawmill and CIFOR-ICRAF, transformed wood residues into sustainable charcoal, focusing on gender dynamics and environmental impacts. Initially an informal survival strategy, the initiative evolved after AFEVADES officially registered in 2020, gaining access to carbonization training and microcredit. As a result, the group doubled production efficiency, reduced processing time, and secured a stable wood supply.
The project has strengthened women’s economic autonomy, with women leading 95% of operations, managing earnings, and supporting households through food, education, and home construction. Over four years, 2,638 m³ of wood residues were converted into 11,000 bags of charcoal, reducing forest pressure. While still modest in scale, this model highlights the potential of gender-inclusive, community-driven solutions in supporting livelihoods and forest sustainability, emphasizing the need for policy support and investment to expand sustainable practices.

---

Download :

English

---

This works is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

---

---