Over 20 forest communities in Akampa Local Government Area of Cross River State, South-South Nigeria have been asked to get women involved in the campaign against deforestation and forest degradation in the State.
Forest and environment activist, Maurice Olory made this known during a one-day validation workshop, organised by Environmental Rights Action, Friends of Earth Nigeria ERA/FoEN in collaboration with Community Forests Watch of Akampa.
He explained that the advocacy became necessary following available evidence that acquisition of land is done either by government, companies or well to do individuals without considering the welfare of those who depend on the forests for their livelihood and without any form of commensurable compensation.
Olory said deforestation of land has increased poverty and deprivation which needs collective and immediate steps to put a stop to it using women advocacy.
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On their part, a gender and forest advocate, Rebecca Enuoh, and the Coordinator of Cross River National Park, Caroline Samuel said Intense poverty and exclusion of women and insecure land rights for women threaten progress in any community. She, therefore, charged women to come together to speak with one voice over deforestation in their communities.
Lawmakers at the workshop assured that the Cross River State House of Assembly is working on a bill seeking to protect, sustain and secure livelihood as well as female gender consciousness from government and communities on land acquisition.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
