Across the globe, women play a vital role in agriculture and water management, ensuring food security and the protection of the environment. They make up nearly 50% of the global agricultural workforce (FAO), managing crops, water resources and driving local food systems. When given the right tools and opportunities, their impact is extensive: farm yields increase between 20-30% (WeForest), communities become more resilient, and ecosystems flourish by optimizing water usage and reducing waste.
There are 3 effective areas of intervention to invest in, and help local communities and women thrive.
Agroforestry and water conservation
By training women in agroforestry techniques, we are improving food production and enhancing water retention in the soil, reducing the impact of droughts. Trees play a vital role in maintaining the water cycle, and integrating them into farmlands ensures more sustainable agriculture.
Olipa recently joined the treadle pump project in Katanino, Zambia, transforming her family’s future through vegetable farming. Growing cabbages and rape, she generates in average US$57.9 per month from the sale of vegetables. Despite his loss of sight, her husband Aubrey contributes by pumping water. Their hard work now provides enough income to feed their family, pay for school materials, and reinvest in seeds for their 0.25 hectare vegetable plot, ensuring a brighter future
Water-efficient farming practices
Simple yet effective solutions like rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation can revolutionize how women farmers manage water. Supporting women with access to these technologies allows them to maintain productivity even in water-scarce regions.
In Desa’s forest, Ethiopia, Azmera is one of the program beneficiaries fetching water to water seedlings. Water harvesting and percolation ponds, deep trenches and shallow trench have been installed over 23,000 ha. Stone and soil bund terraces as well as half-moon structures have been implemented. To date these efforts have trapped over 0.5 million tons of soil from loss and captured approximately 1.7 million m³ of rainwater annually, allowing Azmera to sustain crops, nourish livestock, and restore the land that gives her life.
Women-led reforestation initiatives
When women are involved in planting and protecting forests, they not only restore degraded lands but also secure long-term water availability for their farms and communities. Women’s leadership in conservation efforts strengthens both environmental and social resilience.
At the community-based tree nurseries that supply the Institute for Ecological Research (Ipê) led project in Brazil’s Pontal do Paranapanema, women are running the show. One inspiring example is Iracy, a mother of five, who founded her nursery 15 years ago. She’s been dedicated to propagating and supplying around 300,000 seedlings annually, not only to our project restoring forest corridors for wildlife, but also to local farmers and landowners.
Investing in women’s leadership and providing them with access to resources like clean water, improved agricultural techniques, and decision-making roles is crucial for tackling food security, health, and economic challenges. When women are empowered as decision-makers, communities benefit from better resource management and stronger long-term sustainability, ensuring a more secure and prosperous future for all.
“Empowering women is not just a step towards equality—it’s the catalyst for transformation. By applying water-cycle science and embracing fresh insights, like those revealed by researcher Anastassia Makarieva to guide project site selection, we can more effectively support local communities, accelerate forest restoration, and drive real progress in reversing climate change.”—Marie Noelle Keijzer, CEO, WeForest
Join the movement
Your company has the power to lead and support women-led enterprises, sustainable agriculture, and cooperative business models that benefit both people and nature. By partnering with WeForest, you can make a tangible impact on people while strengthening your sustainability strategy. Let’s work together to grow community and economic resilience—because the climate crisis can’t wait.
Contact our team today to explore how your organisation can contribute to a greener, healthier future.
