How Regenerative Agriculture Can Uproot Gender-Based Violence 

As someone who has lived through the struggles of harmful practices like female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage, I’ve spent years raising my voice against these injustices—not just for myself but for the countless women in my community who’ve endured the same fate. However, after a while, I began to question the impact of my efforts. Too often, the world seems fixated on our pain, consuming our stories as “trauma porn,” with little regard for the systemic change we so desperately need.

I realized that the only real difference between my life now and the lives of the women still trapped in these cycles is opportunity. I was able to earn a decent living, gain independence, and decide how to raise my children on my terms. This realization shifted my focus from fighting harmful practices to addressing their root cause: poverty.

Regenerative agriculture offers a way forward. By teaching women climate-friendly farming practices — such as Pongamia-based agroforestry, intercropping, no or low tillage, and using locally produced biofertilizers — we can turn the land into a source of financial freedom. In the Gambia, we work with local companies to create organic fertilizer from local materials like peanut shells and enhanced sewage sludge, which enables excellent economic outcomes for farmers through increased soil health and yields. This proves that innovation and economic empowerment can sprout from the soil beneath our feet.

One of the most exciting initiatives I’ve been part of is the Regenerative Hubs project, started by regenerative agriculture expert Henry Rowlands and myself. With pilot projects in The Gambia and plans to scale across the Great Green Wall, these hubs are designed to showcase the transformative power of regenerative agriculture. In The Gambia, we are finalizing a joint venture with the UK-based agroforestry company, Phyla, to grow pongamia trees and other crops on 1250 hectares of land next to the River Gambia, secured through The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA). This project is about creating ecosystems that regenerate the land, uplift communities, and provide women with the resources they need to thrive.

None of this would have been possible without the support of partners and donors who believed in this vision. The Obama Foundation’s Girls’ Opportunity Alliance and Deepa Shiva of the Golden Peacock Foundation gave us the head start we needed to shift from advocacy to action. Deepa, whom I met through Actus Partners, has been instrumental in helping us achieve what I have always dreamed of: empowering women by creating sustainable rural economies.

When I asked Deepa why she cares, she told me that her foundation is committed to empowering individuals and transforming communities, using the power of education to pave the way for a sustainable future. People like her are critical of these efforts because, as she demonstrates, we must put our money where our mouth is. Investments like hers not only uplift women but create a ripple effect of change across entire communities.

When women can earn an income and build stable lives, they no longer feel pressured to perpetuate practices like FGM or marry off their daughters at a young age. Instead, they can invest in education, healthcare, and a future free of violence and oppression.

Ending gender-based violence requires more than awareness; it requires opportunity. This is why governments, organizations, and individuals must prioritize regenerative agriculture and other systems that enable sustainable livelihoods for women in rural communities. It’s not just about breaking the cycle of poverty—it’s about giving women the tools to take control of their lives.

Change doesn’t grow from pity or despair—it grows from empowerment. During these 16 Days of Activism, let’s focus on providing women with the resources they need to build lives of dignity and independence. Together, with the support of visionary projects like Regenerative Hubs, we can build a future where no woman’s worth is measured by her ability to endure suffering.

Jaha Dukureh

Jaha Dukureh is a Gambian women’s rights activist and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador for Africa.

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