The Peruvian Association of Cacao Producers (APPCACAO), with the support of Rikolto, the SeCompetitivo program, the Inter-American Foundation, and Uniterra, commenced the X National Women’s Conference for Cacao Producers today.
The event took place in the auditorium of the Oro Verde Cooperative, in the city of Lamas, and aims to build capacities that will allow female cooperative members to participate fully in the cacao production process, as well as stimulate innovation around cacao products with a gender equity approach.
The event began with words of welcome from the president of APPCACAO, Elías Cruz Godos, the president of the CAC Oro Verde, Kelly Moscoso, and the regional vice governor, Nohemí Aguilar Puerta. The Waycu community also presented, with dance and artisanal handicrafts.
In the first presentation, representatives of the social sector, private sector, and public sector spoke alongside a representative from the Pangoa cooperative about the current challenges that Peruvian cacao cooperatives are facing in their efforts to integrate a gender approach into their strategic plans.
The workshop will continue in the provinces of Juanjui on Saturday, March 7th, and in Sauce on Sunday, March 8th. This year’s National Women’s Conference for Cacao Producers has over 24 female representatives from 19 cacao cooperatives. They have traveled from all over Peru, from the regions of San Martín, Piura, Tumbes, Junín, Ayacucho, Cuzco, Amazonas and Huánuco.
We’d like to thank all of the participants for the effort they have made to be present, and we look forward to the results of a productive weekend.