Minister Flavien Joubert’s message on the occasion of World Desertification and Drought Day |17 June 2023

Minister Joubert

‘The role of women in land restoration should be promoted’

“Today, June 17 marks World Desertification and Drought Day. This year’s theme ‘Her land. Her rights’ highlights the importance of women’s land rights in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) on land degradation neutrality and gender equality. 

“Land degradation in Seychelles can be rated as low, however the country remains vulnerable to threats. Seychelles continues to experience forest fires, clearing of forest for development purposes (agriculture, including plantations; housing; tourist facilities; infrastructure), increased impacts of invasive alien species, unsustainable agriculture. Other causes of land degradation include unauthorised constructions and reclamations of wetlands, land development pressure to develop residential areas, tourism projects and other developments.

“Being a small island state we are often considered as a coastal zone in the entirety and there is continuous competition among the different land use sectors, therefore adding pressures on the very limited land resource. Each year erosion continues to threaten our coastlines, placing infrastructure and livelihoods at risk. The implementation of coastal erosion adaptation and rehabilitation programmes are essential to protecting our coastlines.

“Forest fires have been identified as one of the major causes of deforestation in Seychelles specifically on Praslin Island, which results in a loss of forest cover, leading to further land degradation. The work of different organisations such as TRASS (the only environmental not-for profit organisation on the island) plays an essential role in trying to prevent and mitigate the impact of forest fires. Over the years we have witnessed women’s active participation in land restoration activities led by the government as well as private organisations.

“As any other country, women are also users of land in Seychelles, and through this year’s theme, the Convention is calling on us to put more focus on the important roles that they play for achieving the interconnected global goals on gender equality and land degradation neutrality by 2030 therefore, contributing to the achievement of SDGs.  In order to achieve this endeavour women need to be empowered, and they need to be seen as agents of change.

This year the ministry appointed a reporting committee for the countries Land Degradation Neutrality reporting. This is the first step towards establishing a permanent mechanism for monitoring, evaluation and reporting which is in line with UNCCD requirements.

“In the vast majority of countries, women have unequal and limited access and control to land. In many regions, they remain subject to discriminatory laws and practices that impede their right to inherit, as well as their access to services and resources. While women in Seychelles have equal land rights there is always the opportunity to enhance and promote the role of women in land restoration.”

Flavien Joubert

Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change & Environment