The Réseau des Femmes Braves (REFEB) implemented an awareness-raising and capacity-building initiative on the use of improved cookstoves as a gender-responsive climate adaptation solution in Côte d’Ivoire. On January 11, 2025, in the village of N’Zikro, the project directly targeted women from the GASUDCO association, who play a central role in cassava processing—an activity highly dependent on energy access. In addition, 30 women community leaders from Babdougou, Koffikro, N’Zikro, Yapokro, Tiefidougou, and Diatokro participated in the training, strengthening peer-to-peer knowledge transfer at the local level.
Women in rural Côte d’Ivoire are disproportionately affected by climate change due to their reliance on natural resources for household and income-generating activities. Firewood remains the primary source of energy in rural areas, used by nearly 90% of the population. This dependence increases women’s workload, exposes them to health risks from indoor air pollution, and accelerates deforestation, undermining ecosystem resilience and local adaptation capacities.