Testimonials
Members Testimonials
1. Member Role
I was a Professional with expertise in this field & I helped as a focal person for WOCAN who coordinated the gender aspect of the Bill Gates funded reseach by the Meridian Institute into adding value to cassava.
Member Testimonial
WOCAN is an expert and passionate organization in providing a voice for women in all spheres of life. WOCAN ensures that women's voices are heard and contributing in the development of their communities. In August 2009, WOCAN organized women involved in cassava processing in three communities in Ghana in a research being undertaken by the Meridian Institute of USA, in a project to add value to cassava funded by the Bill and Berlinda Gates Foundation. WOCAN mobilized to provide a platform for the women to speak their minds and to ask the scientist questions that affected them. WOCAN aimed at ensuring that women had a say in all this and were not left out in the research but participated actively. The organization ensures gendermainstreaming in whatever project is undertaken to add value to agricultural produce by rural women by providing opportunity for them to express their concerns and to provide appropriate suggestions for improvement. WOCAN advocates on behalf of women to ensure they are not left out in discussions on issues affecting their families and communities and provides avenues for women to improve on their incomes. WOCAN does all these with passion and commitment and I am confident that WOCAN to continue to spearhead the cause of rural women involve in agriculture and the food security for thir families.
Remarkable
- I've seen the results of this organization in... the organization of rural women to express their minds and opinions and to ask questions. The impact and experience for them was that of joy and fulfillment and for me personnally also joy, knowing that these women had never had the opportunity to do so.
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... The sharing of information and best practices are very helpful and provide useful learnings for my work as a gender manager
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... wonderful and experienced in the work they did. The did it with passion and commitment
- If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could... expand its work to many more countries for many women to benefit.
Ways to make it Better
- If I had to make changes to this organization, I would recommend expanding activities in many more countries.
2. Member Role
I was a Professional with expertise in this field & I reviewed WOCAN in 2009 at the request of two donors.
Member Testimonial
WOCAN is unique and original in its mission and in its approach. It works on the instituiopnal transformation for gender mainstreaming in agriculture and in NRM at all levels, from ministers' to farmers' level. Women and men I met in Kenya as well as in Nepal are really focused on improving the lifes of female farmers. They feel stronger being part of this network, learning from each other and assisiting each other.
Remarkable
- I've seen the results of this organization in... the field, meeting a number of organizations, men and women, working together with WOCAN.
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... the passion and commitment women and men are working with.
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... enthusiastic and professionals in their field.
- If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could... evolve into a strong professional network organization world wide.
Ways to make it Better
- My experience would have been better if... WOCAN would be capable to attract more staff.
- If I had to make changes to this organization, I would... give them core funding based on a strategic plan in order to expand and strengthen the organization and the activities world wide.
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... stabilizing the network organization WOCAN and implement more activities at all levels.
3. Member Role
I was a volunteer and have been volunteering with WOCAN at their DC office to build up the network of women professionals in and around DC. Also, I have participated in UNFF on behalf of WOCAN and represented the Women's major group there.
Member Testimonial
I am very impressed with WOCAN's approach towards developing leadership among rural women in Africa and Asia. I have met some of the women who have benefitted from WOCAN and its heartening to see them spreading the good work. This also adds a multiplier effect to the work done by WOCAN. In terms of the network building, I have directly been incolved and have seen how this effort benefits professional women not only in developing countries, but also in developed countries like USA.
Remarkable
- I've seen the results of this organization in... Network of professional women in the DC area who work in agriculture and NRM. This group has been instrumental in not only helping each other through experience sharing, but discuss ways to streamline efforts on gender in their respective organizations
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... The relaxed and happy atmosphere makes the interactions fun and learnings easier!
Ways to make it Better
- My experience would have been better if... If they had more money to do the good work.
- If I had to make changes to this organization, I would... Long term projects which would benefit rural women.
4. Member Role
I was a Professional with expertise in this field & I collaborate with WOCAN to support their activities in West Africa and in Indonesia.
Member Testimonial
WOCAN is designed to bring (mainly) women professionals with expertise agriculture and natural resources together to address global problems. I worked with them to provide support to a group in Central Africa (mainly Cameroon) for a meeting of women addressing such issues; and I collaborated informally with them, as they provided training on gender issues at the Center for Int'l Forestry Research. They also provide a valuable service in encouraging networking among such professionals---aimed at strengthening women's conditions and positions in developing countries.
Remarkable
- I've seen the results of this organization in... -seeing the fulfillment of one of my ideas at the institution from which I retired recetly. -seeing some of my African colleagues benefit from improved networking and skills related to gender -useful networking
Ways to make it Better
- If I had to make changes to this organization, I would... Give them more money!
5. Member Role
I was a Professional with expertise in this field & I participated in the UNFF8 meeting in New York through WOCAN. I also participated in a women leaders training organised by the rganisation in Nairobi Kenya.
Member Testimonial
WOCAN has assisted women from Sub-saharan Africa to represent their views in the UN system as major group members of UNFF.
Remarkable
- I've seen the results of this organization in... Focusing empowerment of women by also involving men. Men are also targetted so that they can also appreciate importance of women empowerment and not see it as a threat.
Ways to make it Better
- If I had to make changes to this organization, I would... Open regional offices in each region of the world.
6. Member Role
I was a volunteer and helped to represent WOCAN and to help their collaboration with other organizations.
Member Testimonial
I have worked with WOCAN as a volunteer at the UN over the4 past 2 years. I was very impressed in 2009 with how they managed to organize the female Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry to come together and recognize their common issues and problems. It was especially li8berating for the African Ministers who had been somewhat marginalized by males. Talking to one another under the auspices of WOCAN they managed to draft various common needs and to more effectively raise the issue of women's involvement in agriculture. WOCAN also ran a learning desk at the UN which also drew a large number of people, and has developed numerous permanent connections with female's in decision making positions all over the globe.
Remarkable
- I've seen the results of this organization in... I think they work extremely well in dealing with people at all levels from the UN down to small rural areas. My own experience with them has mostly been at the UN.
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... stimulating women from all over the world, especially africa and Asia.
- If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could... really reach out to women in a laqrge number of places and make it clear that women's role in agriculture is a direction to go to both cool the planet and to keep it safe for human survival.
Ways to make it Better
- If I had to make changes to this organization, I would... Provide it with more funds to enable them to have more paid staff to work on issues.
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... Funding
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