The "Climate and Energy in Mali" (CEMALI) project, led by UN Women, pioneered a gender-responsive approach to forest management, aiming to reduce deforestation and empower women through sustainable practices. Implemented from 2017 to 2019 with support from the Malian government, GERES, and the private sector, and funded by Sweden and Norway, CEMALI placed women at the center of reforestation and biomass management. This innovative approach not only tackled environmental challenges like deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions but also promoted women’s leadership in restoring forests and advancing clean energy solutions.
Key outcomes included the regeneration of over 1,100 hectares of forest, the production of 114,315 improved cookstoves, and the creation of women-led enterprises in the bioenergy sector. These initiatives reduced dependency on unsustainable biomass, alleviated domestic workloads, and provided significant socio-economic benefits. By involving women in every stage of forest and energy management, CEMALI demonstrates how gender-responsive climate action leads to stronger, more resilient communities, offering a model for integrating women’s leadership in sustainable development.