Following research conducted at two cocoa cooperatives in the Dja-et-Lobo region on a participatory assessment of cooperative governance and strategic priorities related to gender, SAILD organized a workshop to present the results of these studies on August 24, 2026, in Mintom, in the South.
The conclusion is clear: despite their major role in cocoa production, women and the Baka indigenous peoples remain marginalized in governance. They are underrepresented in decision-making bodies, and social, cultural, and organizational norms limit their full participation in cooperative life. This is a brief summary drawn from the results of research on participatory governance and the identification of strategic gender priorities conducted within two cocoa cooperatives in the Southern region. These are SOCOCAM COOP-CA (Cooperative Society of Cocoa Producers with a Board of Directors) in Ekombité and SCOOPS PROCAM (Simplified Cooperative Society of Cocoa Producers) in Mintom.
The meeting on August 24, 2026, organized by the Support Service for Local Development Initiatives (SAILD), was intended to publicize the results of these studies. According to data shared by the project manager, these cooperatives demonstrate an overall level of governance deemed satisfactory by their members. “SOCOCAM has a governance score of 58% out of 110 members, while SCOOPS-PROCAM, which has 167 members, has a score of 64%,” said Franck Ndjodo. Nevertheless, some limitations were observed. According to the analysis of inclusion levels, women and the Baka are marginalized within the cooperatives. They face difficulties in voicing their opinions and participating in decision-making processes. “Women account for 33% of the producers surveyed at SOCOCAM and 27% at SCOOPS-PROCAM, but their participation in decision-making bodies is not effective. The Baka, for their part, have very low representation—2.7% at SOCOCAM and 2.8% at SCOOPS-PROCAM—compared to more than 97% of Bantu producers,” Franck lamented.
Strategic priorities based on equity and inclusion
To reverse this trend, a gender strategy has been developed for each organization. “The new roadmaps for SOCOCAM and SCOOPS-PROCAM are structured around six strategic pillars based on equity. They prioritize women’s leadership by facilitating access to credit and land. Particular emphasis is placed on women’s economic empowerment and combating gender-based violence. To ensure the inclusion of the Baka, we have opted to provide interpreters, bilingual materials, and dedicated meetings to facilitate the flow and understanding of information among Baka members,” explained the project manager. In light of these results, the National Office of Cocoa and Coffee (ONCC), which was present at this workshop, advocates for greater and more visible involvement of women at all levels of the cocoa value chain, from harvest to sale.
- Sharon Maché
