During my time as a cacao farmer in Costa Rica, I travelled across the country connecting with other producers.  It was impossible to ignore the women I met.  On many farms they stood quietly in the background as the men spoke on behalf of everyone.

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Gender inequality remains deeply embedded in the cacao industry, limiting women's voices, income and excluding them from making decisions that affect their lives.

 

Despite women making up a large proportion of the cacao workforce, cacao remains a male-dominated industry that depends on women’s labour but rarely invests in their skills, leadership, or economic security.

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As I have spent time listening to women farmers, it has become clear that these challenges are intensifying, particularly as climate change threatens cacao yields, soil health, and long-term livelihoods.

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Mama Cacao Collective partners directly with women cacao farmers to strengthen their livelihoods. Our work includes hands-on chocolate-making training, improved fermentation and post-harvest practices, support for soil health and climate-smart practices, and the creation of meaningful income opportunities. We also make women’s stories visible, so consumers can better understand who is behind each cacao bean.

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Our mission is to contribute to a more just, regenerative, and transparent cacao industry — one where women farmers thrive, traditions are respected, forests are restored, and cacao supports both people and planet.

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