In the heart of the most important places in Madagascar, because of their socio-economic and cultural value, thousands of women work for the preservation of the environment and mobilize grassroots communities.
Focus on one of them for the International Women’s Day: Hosonjo from the Montagne des Français protected area.
Hosonjo is a forestry officer in the Montagne des Français protected area. She combines this job with her beekeeping and agricultural activities. She plants mainly vegetables and legumes and has about ten hives.
The beekeeper is actively involved in the protection of the Montagne des Français, and today holds the position of President of a community association. She joined the group of patrollers in 2020, upon recruitment by SAGE, manager of the protected area. She wanted to set an example for the community. During the interview, she says, “We must mobilize ourselves to lead the patrols and take responsibility.”
During the rounds, Hasonjo is often the only female. But just like the other team members, she observes, writes pressure reports, and records GPS coordinates of the monitored areas. She does not hesitate to take part in high-risk areas patrolling. In case of a proven infraction, she raises awareness, participates in the ticketing process or even in arrests, depending on the seriousness of the infraction.
Women, an important asset for the maintenance of ecosystem services
“It is clear that in the conservation and restoration work around the Protected Area, it is mostly women who are present, encouraging the participation of men whose pride is wounded,” says Rasolofondramiandra Hary Koloina, SAGE Technical Manager for Environment and Conservation.
Thanks to this mix, a phenomenon of emulation has spread: men have become more deeply involved, children are interested in conservation, and the community in general is becoming more and more mobilized. When women get involved, the community wants to follow them!
With their femininity, they have brought a new dimension to their profession. Indeed, they have an approach that is based on an understanding and a sensitivity that many men lack.
“Moreover, a mother committed to protection will know how to pass on her convictions to her children. Putting women as the target audience is therefore strategic in order to obtain sustainable and transgenerational results from the awareness-raising activities,” says Serge Ratsirahonana, FAPBM Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.
