By Prince Woke
The Green Leaf Advocacy and Empowerment Center on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, conducted a sensitization exercise for women in Eleme, Rivers State, aimed at empowering them to identify and address environmental pollution using community mapping techniques.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinator of the group, Nne Umoren, emphasized that the initiative is designed to help women recognize how environmental pollution affects their lives and livelihoods, and to equip them with practical tools to advocate for change.
“When women map their communities, they are essentially mapping their lives. The process enables them to see clearly, speak with one voice, and take impactful action,” Umoren stated.
She explained that community mapping is a strategic tool that helps women protect and sustain their means of livelihood. “Women’s economic activities—such as farming, fishing, and trading—depend on access to clean, safe, and fertile environments. Unfortunately, pollution has severely degraded these spaces,” she said.
“By using mapping to identify and document the pollution around them, women can better protect these essential areas. This contributes not only to food security and income generation but also builds women’s confidence and sense of agency,” she added.
Umoren also highlighted that the mapping initiative fosters unity among women and strengthens their capacity to advocate for their rights and environmental justice.
At the end of the program, she noted, the women will be equipped to engage with traditional leaders, local government authorities, companies, and relevant government agencies, presenting evidence-based demands rooted in their lived experiences.
