CGIAR Gender News

Insecurity, COVID-19 hit women-led shea sector on eve of Africa free trade deal

Woman roasting nuts

Women have dominated shea production and sales for centuries in West Africa, managing trees, gathering nuts, roasting and crushing kernels to create rich butter used in cooking, cosmetics and medicines.

This women-led shea market value chain now faces increasing uncertainties on various fronts, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.