>600 women have improved access to alternative income streams

The Gender Empowerment Team has taken the lead for increased crop yield and agriculture intensification activities in the project area, with women being instrumental in developing the agricultural plantations across numerous villages in the project area – with a focus on cassava production. A few decades ago, fungi were destroying the cassava crops around Mai Ndombe, leading to crop failures around the country. A university study was conducted to explore other cassava varieties more resistant to fungi and found one specific variety named “Obama” which proved to be both resistant as well as highly productive. Further testing of the Obama cassava has been undertaken in the Kinshasa region, leading to a 6-fold improvement in yield over the traditional varieties. The women-led community organizations have utilized this variety, already demonstrating a significant improvement in cassava production, securing food and income for the community. 19,262 women benefit from health services, direct employment, education in schools, and training in leadership and sustainable agriculture, including cassava cultivation