Setou’s Story
“Agriculture is all we do, and we are entirely dependent…
Empowering Women in Rural Mali
This project built on the success and approach of our She Grows project, supporting 1,000 women in the Koulikoro region of Mali.
It aimed to improve their economic and social status by promoting greater forest access rights for women, as well as encouraging management responsibilities and supporting women's participation in local tree product enterprises, through the promotion of village tree enterprises (VTEs).
310
people trained in conservation
and plant production techniques
11
cooperative enterprise
groups for entrepreneurs established
8
wells established
Why this project matters
In Mali’s drylands, the climate crisis is making it harder for rural families to grow food and earn an income — and women are feeling the strain most. Many rely on what they can grow on small plots of land, yet rising temperatures, poor soil, and unpredictable rains are cutting deeply into the harvests they depend on.
At the same time, women often have the least access to healthcare, education, and paid work. Many are also excluded from decisions about the trees and land that sustain their families. Despite these challenges, women carry immense knowledge and resilience — and with the right support, they are leading powerful change across their communities.
Our Aims
Through this project, we:
- Ensured long-term secured access to forest resources is granted to women’s cooperatives in 11 villages.
- Supported the implementation of effective and sustainable land management practices by women’s cooperatives.
- Ensured women’s enterprises that utilise forest resources are developed and profitable.
- Promote the uptake of sustainable economic activities, to reduce the pressure on natural resources.
Stories from Mali
Two thirds of Mali is desert, and a third of its population lives in extreme poverty.
Tree Aid has been working with locals to tackle this since 1993.
Read some of their stories.
Our partners
