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lished programs such as redd reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation to support sustainable forest management practices by protecting and restoring forests we can contribute to both human well being and the health of the planet let us all work together towards a sustainable future for africa and the world furthermore we encourage individuals to educate themselves on the importance of forests and the impact of deforestation on the planet by increasing awareness and taking personal actions such as reducing paper and wood consumption supporting sustainable forestry practices and advocating for policies that protect forests we can all contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future let us all work together towards a sustainable future for africa and celebrate the international forests day with a renewed commitment to the health and vitality of our forests celebrating international women s day women technology and food sovereignty building community resilience in africa wadotchedohoun adeline a small scale farmer practicing agroecological farming adeline is a member of the dekouenou community in benin collaborating with cevaste a partner of abn photo credit abn on international women s day the african biodiversity network joins the world in celebrating women s contribution to food sovereignty and building resilient communities in africa this year s theme digitall innovation and technology for gender equality highlights the importance of embracing digital technology to help overcome the challenges facing the world today equipping women with digital technologies further prepares them to play their role in enhancing productivity and contributing to the un sdgs of no poverty sdg 1 zero hunger sdg 2 and promotion of gender equality sdg 5 the african biodiversity network abn recognizes the vital role of women in achieving food sovereignty and enhancing living in harmony with nature as part of this effort the network has embraced digital technologies as a pathway to reach diverse audiences and is committed to build the capacities of the partners in the network on the effective interactions on the digital platforms abn believes in women s contribution to household and communities resilience as knowledge holders of seeds and agriculture accompanying women in the use of appropriate technology and innovation to adopt to the changing global technological paradigm shift is a necessity there are many opportunities of sharing knowledge by accessing such pathways through digital platforms crucial for achieving food sovereignty and resilient communities in africa digital technology could further food sovereignty agenda digital technology has been instrumental in sharing information and knowledge in agriculture further enhancing women s productivity mobile phones and social media platforms have enabled women to access information on weather patterns market prices and farming techniques leading to increased yields and improved income guided by abn s philosophy on proper use of technology the network has sagaciously engaged in digital platforms such as facebook twitter and whatsapp platforms using such digital platforms has continued to enable communities to share experiences across africa regardless of distance such an experience of sharing knowledge through digital platforms has an effective methodology to the communities the abn s facebook internal report in 2022 shows that 25 of women engage in the platform this is an indication that continued capacity building of women on the use of digital technology would further increase their participation in virtual environment discourses concerning their wellbeing furthermore digital platforms continue to allow women to connect and form networks enabling collective action towards food sovereignty research indicates that women s collective action through social networks can help them achieve greater agency and collective voice leading to better access to resources services relevant institutions and improved well being van wijk et al 2020 p 6 for instance the african women leaders in agriculture and environment awlae platform has connected women across africa enabling them to share knowledge experiences on sustainable agriculture climate change adaptation and gender responsive policies governments and organizations should recognize and support women s role in food production distribution and consumption by promoting gender equality even in digital dispensation creates opportunities for women s participation in decision making processes and collaborating to enhance their technology absorption skills and meaningful engagement investing in digital technologies and promoting women s active participation contributes to communities resilience and food systems thereby achieving food sovereignty and communities living in harmony with nature in africa the solutions that we seek already lie within our indigenous cultures abn is a network committed to unearthing and implementing african solutions to african problems and building solidarity on biodiversity and community rights issues on the continent previous next 1 2 3 4 read more about what we do news october 28 2024 in news the importance of community led conservation in africa s climate crisis october 28 2024 in news why nature based solutions are key to climate action october 28 2024 in news abc festival 2024 a defining moment for african youth october 28 2024 in news how ocean acidification threatens benin s coastline and communities october 28 2024 in news towards sustainable and eco responsible food systems in africa october 28 2024 in news guardians of our ecosystems and teachers of humanity october 28 2024 in news integrating equity and conservation in african biodiversity initiatives abn presence in africa community seed and knowledge we work with women men and elders in reviving local traditional knowledge for strengthening seed and food sovereignty and regenerate biodiversity read our latest publication the seed catalogue community ecological governance we use a nature centred process to revive traditional knowledge practices and governance systems to rebuild communities livelihoods and ecosystem resilience in africa show me youth culture and biodiversity we endeavour to connect young people with nature culture and themselves this deepening of knowledge helps them to build deeper awareness of who they are learn more advocacy and communication network practice and development we strive to strengthen networking communication and regional advocacy we work with like minded individuals and organisations to catalyse wider action and influence policy and public opinion on ecological and socio economic issues that affect africa learn more previous next 1 2 3 4 celebrating international biodiversity day building a viable future through enhancing community and eco system resilience let us collectively renew our commitment to the health and vitality of earth s communities through our shared action and collaboration we can build community and ecosystem resilience protect our natural and cultural heritages and forge a sustainable future for africa and the world your role as a valued member of the african biodiversity network is crucial in this endeavor together we can make a significant impact on biodiversity conservation climate change mitigation and the achievement of the sustainable development goals a young borana girl during the gada system ceremony oromia yabelo ethiopia photo credit eric lafforgue art in all of us corbis via getty images a farmer tends to potatoes around a pine tree plantation in mount kenya national park kenya the second highest peak in africa mount kenya holds some 11 shrinking glaciers said to be rapidly melting due to the burning of fossil fuels fires deforestation and land use changes as well as industrial and agricultural developments mount kenya national park and the forest reserve combined are inscribed as a unesco world heritage site photo credit ed ram via getty images egyptian farmers are harvesting wheat in sharqia governorate egypt on 1st may 2024 photo credit doaa adelnur photo via getty images international biodiversity day is a crucial reminder of the need to passionately engage with nature based initiatives and valuing cultural and spiritual diversities as these are knowledge base for sustainable conservation efforts the theme of international biodiversity day in 2024 is be part of the plan the african biodiversity network has been aligned with the plan in which we are contributing to the global effort on the biodiversity crisis which threatens the survival of one million species and impacts human wellbeing globally unep un environment programme while celebrating international biodiversity day we should remember the importance of engaging in critical biodiversity conservation activities one is increasing vegetation cover which is essential to sustain our food production through conserving biodiversity which is the source of wild crop relatives conservation initiatives on biodiversity conservation including enhancing forest cover have been supported by the united nations framework convention on climate change unfccc through a program such as redd reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in consideration of their role in climate change mitigation by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide and increasing the moisture content in the air the increasing threats to biodiversity including forest degradation pollution of water bodies and other terrestrial and marine ecosystems paused numerous challenges which resulted in problems for human health habitat destruction loss of biodiversity and increased carbon emissions which aggravate undesired change on climate the intergovernmental panel on climate change ipcc warns that climate change will increase vector borne diseases and air pollution related illnesses in this spirit the african biodiversity network abn in collaboration with partners financial collaborators and stakeholders have joined efforts to ensure the implementation of sustainable biodiversity conservation in africa over the last two decades the abn and its partners in all corners of africa have engaged with different initiatives such as community ecological governance community seed knowledge youth culture and biodiversity to ensure the traditional and practical knowledge base on the management of seed diversities forest animal and plant species are protected including the rights of communities and the natural world are respected these initiatives prioritize natural and human health by raising awareness building capacity on the linkages between biodiversity and human wellbeing and advocating for policies supporting sustainable bio cultural diversity conservation the partnership between abn and our esteemed partners exemplifies the power of collaboration in driving positive change for the wellbeing of communities and the natural world by prioritizing the conservation of biocultural diversity strengthening community resilience and upholding international agreements and resolutions we are taking essential steps towards achieving significant impacts on bio cultural diversity conservation climate change mitigation and the sustainable development goals with your continued support abn aims to create a sustainable future that safeguards our natural cultural and spiritual heritage and promotes the wellbeing of present and future generations instilling hope for a better tomorrow on this international biodiversity day we extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our partners including the african biodiversity network who have tirelessly worked to protect biodiversity and preserve significant cultural and spiritual practices relevant to conservation your commitment to the health and vitality of the planet earth through the various inspiring initiatives you have been engaged in is commendable as we celebrate the progress made in protecting our biodiversity we must also recognize the importance of continuing collaboration with different stakeholders including governments who play a crucial role in creating enabling policy environments abn believes that governments should prioritize efforts and fulfil their obligations to protect our biodiversity and we are grateful for your support in this mission article by fassil gebeyehu phd is the abn general coordinator about us the african biodiversity network abn is an african network of individuals and organizations seeking african solutions to the ecological and socio economic challenges that face the continent our footprint currently abn has 41 partners drawn from 19 african countries benin botswana ethiopia ghana kenya mozambique south africa tanzania togo uganda zambia zimbabwe burkina faso rwanda central africa republic cameroon gabon morocco and egypt our horizon we strive to grow and nurture an african network of individuals communities and organisations increasingly rooted in their own biological cultural and spiritual diversity with the capability to govern their own lives and livelihoods an overview of our thematic areas community seed and knowledge one of the common pressures faced by the abn and the rural communities with whom the partner organisations work has been the tremendous push from governments and corporations to use hybrid and increasingly genetically modified seeds which require costly inputs like fertilizers community ecological governance we recognise that elders within the community play a vital role in upholding the ecological knowledge and customs practiced over generations which maintain the well being of sacred natural sites ecosystems territories and local communities youth culture and biodiversity the youth culture and biodiversity thematic area of abn aims to deepen peoples sense of belonging with one another and with the earth in order to restore confidence eroded over years of marginalisation of indigenous ecological knowledge and practices advocacy communication we aim to strengthen networking communication and regional advocacy we work with likeminded individuals and organisations to catalyse wider actions and influence policy and public opinion on ecological and socio economic issues that affect africa read more building farmer managed seed systems and preserving indigenous seeds in east africa download it here this document explores the complex relationship between seeds biodiversity and cultural heritage in east africa the focus is on farmer managed seed systems fmss and indigenous knowledge and the challenges and opportunities surrounding seed sovereignty and food security in the region seeds hold significant cultural and spiritual value across various traditions symbolizing hope fertility and interconnectedness with nature challenges like food imports reliance on external inputs and inadequate support for fmss hinder food sovereignty and sustainability input subsidy programs raise concerns about cost m...