South Sudan

In the context of civil war, violence, and resource exploitation, South Sudanese women of the Yei region often battle sexual violence and rape on their way to collect firewood. This was challenged by the Forum for Community Change and Development, launched in 2013, which trains women to use improved cooking stoves that require less firewood, helping them avoid in taking up dangerous journeys in the forests. The forum encourages young girls to go back to school, who often drop out in order to make more time to gather firewood. The forum is educates women and young girls about the importance of forests and the need for protection to address soil erosion problems. Photo credit: Global Greengrants