From: barnhart@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Mr. Aaron Barnhart)
Subject: IPS:BURKINA FASO: WOMEN IN FOREFRONT TO FIGHT DESERTIFICATION
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 22:09:39 GMT
Organization: Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A.

Copyright Inter Press Service 1992, all rights reserved.  Permission to re-
print within 7 days of original date only with permission from 'newsdesk'.

Area: Africa, east
Reference: Women
Title: BURKINA FASO: WOMEN IN FOREFRONT TO FIGHT DESERTIFICATION


an inter press service feature

by brahima ouedraogo

layamdi, burkina faso, dec 22 (ips) -- until a year ago, men in
burkina faso would never have thought of women playing a role in
their country's development process.

''my wife has to care for her family and look after crops at
home first'' was the general attitude of the men in this mostly
moslem west african nation of nine million people.

but the rapid degradation of the environment and its side
effects on their lives have apparently led the men to change
their attitude.

''things have changed. today's life imposes new
mentalities'', says tissa yarga, a member of a 65-women tree
planting and vegetable growing project in layamdi village, 270
km outside the burkina faso capital, ouagadougou.

the project began when forestry agents in the layamdi area
saw the need to train the people on how to conserve their
environment for future fuelwood and food supplies. layamdi
women, quick to see the need to play an active role, accepted
the training.

''the vegetation has changed over the years. no more trees.
we have to plant trees for our children'', lankoande told ips,
expressing the sentiments of layamdi women.

perennially threatened by the sahara desert, burkina faso,
like all sahelian countries, is actively involved in conserving
and managing its natural resources.

one of the methods the burkinabe government is using is
agroforestry through which it supports reforestation projects in
the rural areas by supplying woodlots.

at the beginning of this year, at least 1,600 ha of land in
in burkina faso were planted fuelwood and another 2,900 ha
were turned into multi-purpose plantations such as the one at
layamdi.

planting in the layambi project begins in january and the
trees are often ready to be sold in june.

the trees are used for fencing and building wind breaks
around the villagers' gardens. others are sold to neighbouring
villages and are popular because they are cheaper than trees
sold by the environment and tourism services.(more/ips)


burkina faso: women (2)

this year alone the project has generated about 260 dollars
in income, which the women supplement by growing a variety of
vegetables.

in a country where 33 percent of the children below the age
of five suffer from mulnutrition, the women of layamdi have made
a significant contribution to reduce the problem in their
village.

''until last year, we had to spend a large amount of money
to buy vegetables. but now we are independent'', says lankoande.
''we now have vegetables all-year long, even during the long
dry season''.

working for at least 18 hours a day, layamdi women, like the
majority of burkinabe women, are the major producers of food and
other products.

a year after they began the tree planting project, the women
have succeeded to get their menfolk to accept that they have a
role to play in the development process.

lankoande, the 60-year-old project leader, is even offered
a chair by men during village meetings, a rare treat in a
conservative nation which relegated the women to the kitchen.
this is an indication of the men's growing respect for the tree
planting project.

but despite their success, the women still face some
problems, including water shortage, explains lankoande.

''we need more wells to water our plants because with only
one well available in this village, we have to wait until
nighttime when all villagers have drawn enough water before we
think about our plants'', she says.

like the other sahelian countries, burkina faso -- which
became independent from france in 1960 -- faces an acute water
problem. the daily average water consumption does not exceed
five litres per person.

another problem is the shortage of labour as women often have
to help their husbands tend to their livestock. animal husbandry
is the major economic activity of the country's rural
population.

but the women are not discouraged. having started with 36
women, the project now boasts of 65 members. more women are
expected to join as the village reaps from tree planting,
lankoande believes. (end/ips/bo/nm/apc/92)
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