Lebanon

Women and Desertification: A dynamic relationship

Desertification is a complex and serious environmental and social phenomenon. The theme of this year's observance of the World Day to Combat Desertification was "Women and Desertification".

On the occasion, the UNDP National Action Plan to Combat Desertification Project and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) organized a field visit on 17 June 2005 to the region of Deir El Ahmar, Bekaa.

The visit included a short workshop held at the centre for the Women's Association of Deir El Ahmar (WADA) where presentations and discussions on women’s experiences in the field of combating desertification were held.

The WADA underlined their experience in confronting a magnitude of the social, economic and environmental problems associated with drought and desertification in the village of Deir El Ahmar. The association implemented an agro-tourism project, the first phase of which was funded by MoA/UNDP, which aims at establishing an agro-ecotourism structure in the region for future income generation activities.

During the workshop, three other women community groups presented their experiences and work related to desertification and poverty alleviation. All groups stressed that women should become active participants in environmental management and development and their legal and administrative capacities for decision-making enhanced in order to achieve sustainable development.

The workshop was followed by a field visit to the seasonal spring called "Nabaa El Arbeein" located in the region of Yammouneh, and another visit to an organic farm where participants were introduced to the concept of organic farming.