Part 2 -The Hidden Impact of Deforestation: Domestic Violence in Rural Uganda
Nature Answers: Rural Stories from a Changing PlanetShow Notes
Content warning: This episode contains descriptions of domestic violence and pregnancy loss, and may be distressing to some listeners. This is Part 2 of a two-part series. In the previous episode, we heard how deforestation reshaped the lives and safety of women in Katagi Village, Uganda.
What does it truly take to rebuild both ecosystems and lives, and is restoring the forest enough?
In this powerful conclusion to a two-part series, host Ivy Prosper returns to Katagi Village in Uganda, where the ripple effects of deforestation and climate change reach far beyond the land. As poverty deepens and access to education remains out of reach, many women find themselves trapped in cycles of dependence and abuse. Through deeply personal stories, we hear from Annet Nassanga, Zigama Elivania, and Kyalinkunda Esiter, who share how environmental destruction has shaped their lives, as well as how community, education, and financial independence are helping them rebuild their futures.
More from Nature Answers: Rural Stories from a Changing Planet
In this episode, host Ivy Prosper takes us to Kamonaayili in northern Ghana, where farmers are using biochar, made from burned plant waste, to improve soil fertility, retain moisture and increase crop yields. We hear from farmers of different generations about how this nature-based solution is helping families improve food security, build financial independence and invest in their children’s futures. As harvests improve, young people are finding new opportunities in farming, and some who left the community are returning home.
What if restoring mangroves could help bring fish back to a community?
In the Volta region of Ghana, the coastal community of Vodja has already lost 90% of its land mass to rapid sea erosion. Nestled precariously between a lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, residents are refusing to let the water claim the rest of their homes. Host Ivy Prosper travels to the shoreline to meet the local committee turning to a nature-based shield—massive coconut plantations—to stabilize the sand, reclaim their beach, and hold back the rising tide.
Season 4 of Nature Answers will be in your feed THIS Thursday! More about Nature Answers: Rural Stories from a Changing Planet at farmradio.org/natureanswers
In this episode, we sit down with a key project coordinator to explore the vital intersection of community radio, climate resilience, and rural collaboration. Our guest unpacks their precise role within the Movement for Impact and Sustainable Action (MISA) and the Nature-Based Solutions project. We learn how they manage relationships with local broadcasters—including Breeze FM—and coordinate rural listening groups. The conversation clarifies the geographic reach of these initiatives, detailing how check-ins are conducted across Eastern Province to ensure high engagement and reliable feedback loops.