Our Journey and Impact
The African Women’s Network for Community Forest Management (REFACOF) was established in the wake of the International Conference held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 25 to 29 May 2009. Co-organised by the Government of Cameroon through the Ministry of Forests and Wildlife (MINFOF) and the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO), this conference focused on the theme ‘Forest Tenure, Governance and Enterprise: New Opportunities for West and Central Africa’.
Seizing the opportunity presented by the participation of delegates from ten West and Central African countries, including Cameroon, the 45 women committed themselves to reflecting on the situation of women in the forestry sector in Africa. The birth of REFACOF was thus derived from the will and commitment of this core group, which was determined to play a pioneering and active role in questioning and influencing land and forestry policies in relation to the status and quality of rural women’s land and forest tenure rights. Aware of the constraints, threats and challenges – but also of the existence of a critical mass of opportunities – the Network set about strengthening its geographical and organisational base. Today, it forms a geographical matrix spanning 20 countries.
Our Vision
What we firmly envisage and want to see on the horizon in the coming decades is that “the land and forest rights of rural women are customarily recognised and legally secured, in order to contribute to greater involvement in climate action and help improve their socio-economic position by 2055.
Our Mission
REFACOF has defined its mission in all the countries it covers and the reason for its institutional existence, which is to promote the land and forest rights of rural women in Africa and to influence policies, laws, decisions and practices for gender equity in tenure.
Community Development
Our Values
Our values, i.e., what brings us together and what we share, are principles of action and ideals. They are fundamental, motivating, and guiding principles. That being said, our approach to work is based on six core values.
- Commitment: We believe that every member of the Network must be dedicated and determined in their participation and contribution to achieving our objectives and irreversibly realising our vision.
- Resilience: united, supportive and working hand in hand, REFACOF members must have the resilience, robustness, transformative strength and adaptability to face gender injustices and inequalities related to land and forest tenure.
Integrity: all members of the Network must demonstrate probity and honesty in their contribution to the realisation of our vision and mission, in the achievement of our objectives and, therefore, in the accomplishment of their work within REFACOF.
Inclusive governance: this is one of our guiding principles and consists of mobilising all willing parties, including men, in order to build inclusive social capital and horizontal solidarity that will enable us to realise our vision and accomplish our mission.
Leadership: REFACOF members must have the qualities, skills, knowledge, expertise and interpersonal skills that enable them to attract and lead other organisations and individuals, through horizontal exchanges, diversity of perspectives and mutual learning, to converge towards the pursuit of our mission and the achievement of our objectives.
Accountability: within the Network, decision-making and leadership must be carried out in a responsible and accountable manner; that is to say, horizontally, on the one hand, and downwards (downstream accountability), on the other, taking into account differences of opinion, unifying points of view and, above all, reporting to the various stakeholders.
Our Team
Meet the dedicated individuals driving REFAFCOF’s mission forward with expertise and passion.
Dr. Cecile Ndjebet
President/Founder
Leads REFAFCOF with a focus on sustainable development, gender and community empowerment.
Madame Lydia Weah
Vice President
Manages REFAFCOF’s financial resources, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Madam Masso Rose Pelagie
Oversees the design and implementation of REFAFCOF’s community programs.
