Women and Girls in Climate Change - Kenya

Women and Girls in Climate Change promotes the wellbeing of women and girls at all levels of society and mitigates the impact of HIV/AIDs among the vulnerable population in the western Kenya region.

Fast facts:

So far 73 women have directly benefited from this activity;
Two women have been trained on how to make reusable sanitary towels and how to make liquid soap that is suitable for washing the sanitary towels;
In addition to the 73 women, 30 girls in Nyabera primary school were each issued a packet of eight reusable sanitary towels that can last for up to a year.

The problem

Women, especially women living positive with HIV/AIDS, are a vulnerable population in the western Kenya region. They contribute to 80% of the workforce, yet they are not offered the same economic opportunities or recognition as men. Because most of them handle the household work, they are the biggest users of natural resources like water and wood for cooking, activities are contributing to environmental degradation.

The solution

This activity is working with women living with HIV/AIDS in the Misori area of Siaya County in Kenya. They are helping women establish climate friendly kitchen gardens using locally available biodegradable materials and also training them to construct energy saving devices like fireless cookers and energy saving cookstoves and establish tree nurseries. Women are issued solar lamps, which they pay off through installments. Solar lamps reduce the use of paraffin, and reduce the women’s need to buy paraffin and use it for other purposes. This activity is also working with the local primary schools, training girls to use reusable sanitary towels and training mothers on how to make the sanitary towels.

Helping people

Women have been engaged in this developing this activity through a process called “community conversation” where women participate in community dialogues for seven days. They discuss climate change and how it has affected their community. The women then develop “homegrown solutions” to their problems and the activity introduces them to local opportunities that are available and applicable. Once the women have identified what opportunities they’d like to engage in, they then mobilize and implement solutions. This process ensures that women own their solutions and can continue to address their issues even after the activity has left the area.

Scaling Up

All activities under the Women and Girls in Climate Change activity can be scaled up. The 73 women who are trained in climate change mitigation activities will form other