Agro-ecological knowledge and practices of indigenous women in resilience to climate change in the Democratic Republic of Congo

This project was carried out by PIFEVA, a member of RESSAC in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The work carried out under this project has effectively contributed to the identification and promotion of agro-ecological work carried out by the indigenous women of Mwenga that the identification of wild agricultural seeds that are resilient to climate change will facilitate (in the means and long-term) strengthening and improving thus contributing to the well-being and self-determined development of indigenous women and their indigenous communities given that traditional knowledge and good practices in climate-resilient agriculture identified and thus revitalized agricultural production capacities despite the negative impact of climate change on indigenous and local populations. This will also have an impact on improving the livelihoods of women and indigenous people in Mwenga. This will also facilitate the sharing of valuable climate-resilient indigenous knowledge among women, youth and future generations in Mwenga territory in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Indeed, this project is also part of the need to facilitate the integration of indigenous knowledge into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, 2015) engaged in processes of recognition of "other knowledge". This has gone through their circulation in new devices, the emergence of new actors and their translation into an operational tool implemented in current action, into a real mobilizing political lever, into law for the defense of indigenous women and their communities. oppressed or marginalized, during the implementation of activities on the ground.

This project has enabled us (through extension activities carried out in the field) to effectively defend and popularize the "Agroecological knowledge and practices of indigenous women in resilience to climate change in the Democratic Republic of Congo" within the 22 targeted indigenous villages ( Kasika, Kalambi, Mwenga center, Bilalo-mbili, Bilembo, Mungombe, Kamituga, Ngambwa, Musumba, Kasaga, Kiliungu, Kanana, Nisege, Bungalama, Lolwe, Kasete, Bigombe, Kitamba, Irangi, Kabukimba, Kitale and Ilibo) in the territory of Mwenga in South Kivu in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo:

Indeed, although they do not enjoy equal access to the productive resources necessary for agriculture, the indigenous women of Mwenga play a vital role in all stages of traditional food production in the context of climate change. : collection of traditional seeds resilient to climate change, land preparation, weeding, production of manure, agro-ecological composts, harvesting and traditional storage, as well as the processing, packaging and sale of traditional foods. Indigenous women are also traditionally responsible for household chores, spending up to 10 hours a day caring for their families and community members (young, old and sick), cleaning and cooking, caring for supply of water, fodder and fuel. However, despite their key role, indigenous women and those living in rural areas face gender discrimination, as well as many other social, economic and cultural constraints. First, they have more limited access than men to land, productive and financial resources, education, health, rural extension, markets, climate adaptation initiatives and job opportunities. Second, they are excluded from decision-making processes and labor markets, and are victims of sexual exploitation and domestic violence. In addition, the current multiplication of climatic shocks, extreme phenomena and meteorological disasters are all factors of aggravation of their situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In Mwenga territory, indigenous women are largely invisible, and their work is simply seen as an aid to male work or as a “feminine obligation”. They have traditional and indigenous knowledge ignored in agroecology and are among the most vulnerable groups facing discrimination and dispossession of their traditional lands for the benefit of mining activities in Mwenga territory.

Feminism is on the rise because solidarity is put into practice through the collective actions of women's organizations that advocate gender roles as well as paradigms of inequality.