Women are the guardians of biodiversity.
Women as Guardians of Biodiversity
On the occasion of the thematic week of Expo 2025 in Osaka (Japan), dedicated to the future of the Earth and biodiversity, Gabon took a remarkable initiative: to organize a multi-stakeholder dialogue in the form of a roundtable on the crucial role of women in the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity.
Women, Guardians of Biodiversity
At the heart of communities, particularly in the Congo Basin, women are on the frontlines of the daily management of natural resources. They:
- ensure the transmission of environmental knowledge to future generations,
- play an active role in ecosystem restoration,
- hold valuable traditional knowledge, too often overlooked in public policies.
Yet, they are also the most affected by environmental changes, as their lives are closely dependent on access to local resources.
A Dialogue to Give Women a Voice
In light of these realities, Gabon sought to highlight women’s voices and their role in environmental decision-making processes. This multi-stakeholder dialogue aimed to showcase their initiatives, promote their expertise, and emphasize their strategic role in building a sustainable future, particularly in the Global South.
The official opening of the event was delivered by Mrs. Nina Abouna, Commissioner General for Gabonese Expositions. The dialogue was moderated by Her Excellency Dr. Aurélie Flore Koumba Pambo, Ambassador and Co-Facilitator of the Republic of Gabon for the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP).
Roundtable Speakers
The discussion brought together a panel of experts from academia, civil society, and institutions:
- Professor Alfred Ngomanda, Commissioner General of the National Center for Scientific and Technological Research of Gabon;
- Professor Yuji Takenoshita, Lecturer-Researcher in the Department of Zoology, Okayama University of Science (Japan);
- Mrs. Fanie Rachel Minko Mi Ndong, communication expert and Executive Secretary of Cluster Cosmetic Gabon;
- Mrs. Cécile Ndjebet, agronomist and social forester, co-founder of the African Women’s Network for Community Forest Management (REFACOF);
- Mrs. Bharati Kumari Pathak, Executive Advisor at the Women Rights and Resources Network (WRRN) and Advisor at the Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN).
Towards a Sustainable Future
From Yaoundé to Kathmandu, from Okayama to Libreville, this dialogue highlighted a shared reality: the future of our planet depends on recognizing and integrating women’s knowledge and actions in biodiversity management.
The message is clear: preserving the Earth for future generations also means giving women the place they deserve in environmental governance.
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