Awarded in 2023
Based in Ndhama, Djukoth, Mahagi Territory (Ituri) - Democratic Republic of Congo
Wanitho Anewa Georjette is a coffee farmer and Indigenous agroecologist from Ndhama in Djukoth, Mahagi Territory. She has become a respected leader among rural women who work tirelessly in coffee fields but are often excluded from the decisions and benefits that come from their labour. In many parts of eastern Congo, women carry out most of the planting, weeding, harvesting and post-harvest work, yet men remain the ones who sell the produce and control household income. Women’s contributions are undervalued and their role in agriculture is rarely recognised.
In response to this inequality, Wanitho brings women together to strengthen their voices, build confidence and create a culture of entrepreneurship and self-management. Through her group initiatives, she helps women gain skills in coffee production, agroecology and collective marketing, and encourages them to see agriculture as a pathway to dignity, income and independence. Her leadership shows that when women are empowered, families and entire communities prosper.
She also teaches women about their rights and responsibilities within the community, helping them understand land use rules, market opportunities and local governance systems. Her work promotes a vision of agriculture where women have full agency over their labour, their crops and their futures.
Wanitho Anewa Georjette received the Kilimo Environmental Prize for her commitment to elevating the contributions of rural women, advancing their economic autonomy and creating spaces where they can overcome the challenges they face. Her work demonstrates that empowering women farmers is essential for building resilient households, strengthening food security and transforming community livelihoods.
