A joyous online ceremony marks the close of a transformative chapter for 19 participants in our ecofeminist leadership programme, but their journey continues
26 October 2023
We are delighted to share with you the excitement surrounding the successful completion of our most recent iteration of our ecofeminist leadership programme. This cohort has been on a transformative journey, culminating in a closing ceremony last week – a celebration shared between the participants, the Well Grounded team and partners.
The Well Grounded ecofeminist leadership programme aims to support the emergence of female leaders within civil society across the Congo Basin, while championing the principles of ecofeminism – a concept linking the well-being of our planet with that of women.
Participants taking part in an exercise at the Kisantu retreat
The graduating cohort is composed of 15 women leaders, and four of their male colleagues, drawn from leading female led civil society organisations as well as networks working to secure environmental justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The group decided to name their cohort “Bakokoli”, the Lingala word for a cockerel’s crow at dawn, representing the announcement of a new phase in their leadership journeys.
The journey through the programme since the participants were selected in 2019 had some ups and downs, with face-to-face gatherings restricted due to the COVID–19 pandemic, and the group adapting to novel online methods for training, mentoring and building relationships. However once restrictions eased, the group was able to meet at a week-long residential workshop in Kisantu, DRC in early 2023. This allowed participants to gain deeper insights into their own identities and leadership styles, and reflect on how they engage with the world and their networks.
The closing ceremony included powerful testimonials from participants sharing the impact the programme had on them:
Judith Banawela Mkoy, Action pour la défense des droits des femmes et lutte contre le changement climatique (ONG AGFL) said:
“The ecofeminist leadership programme has helped me to discover my inner power and gain confidence and self-esteem. I make use of this power in my work. I acknowledge the uniqueness of my collaborators and this helps the team to achieve their objectives in a collective manner.”
Justin Ngandu Kalombay Forêts et Développement Durables (FODD) shared:
“Before the ecofeminist leadership programme, words like ‘Positive masculinity, gender and inclusion’ did not mean a lot to me. The ecofeminist journey has transformed my life. I now create time for my family especially with my children and my wife. My attitude towards women has changed. I have now become a feminist leader who protects the rights of women. I work to encourage other men to understand the concept ‘Positive masculinity’ and to include gender and inclusion in their daily activities.”