Kenya and International Women's Day

In Kenya like the rest of the World International women’s day is celebrated on 8th March every year. It is one day set aside globally to celebrate the social, economic and political achievement of women.

In Kenya, women are known to be the caretakers of homes. They are largely involved in the upbringing of children in societies. Women gather much of the world’s wood, water, and carry out a large share of its farming. Therefore, women have a lot of influence on the lives and skill development of the younger generation. To grow sustainably, women should be involved in all aspects. Giving women bigger voice in decision making is vital in achieving the biodiversity goals.

The year 2020 has seen the world with a global pandemic as the climate crisis is still on the rise. The impact of these was being felt across the African continent, especially by women, children, and youth. Many parts of Africa have suffered extreme weather events such as floods and droughts, which disrupt lives and livelihoods.

Extreme weather events such as droughts and floods have a greater impact on the poor and most vulnerable, with 70 per cent of the world’s poor being women. Women are also the primary members of the family tasked with fetching water as well as wood and charcoal for cooking. As climate change threatens the availability of these resources, women may end up spending even more hours than they already do in trying to acquire these necessities.

Loss of natural resources because of climate change is exposing more women and girls to gender-based violence. Deforestation has forced women and girls to walk long distances in search of firewood and water predisposing them to physical violence and in some cases, rape. To prevent gender-based violence, women, men, girls, and boys need to have equitable access to natural resources, credit, education and information and markets. And solutions are being developed.

When I learnt about ARTBOX System for the first time, I immediately wanted to be a part of it, as it ensures human dignity. It respects women and ensures gender equality. It promotes gender equality with each member enjoying free access to all services equally without segregation or discrimination. Promoting gender equality not only makes business sense but also an important strategy to achieve sustainable development. It is essential to empower women, as it will help them benefit from sustainable energy opportunities.

One of ARTBOX benefits is training. This is about learning and production of solar energy, vertical farming and biogas. For women and girls, safe and steady electricity means more than the ability to light the house after dark: it means a significant reduction in working hours on various household chores. Poverty, inequalities, and disempowerment go hand in hand because of the inability to meet basic needs, resulting in dependence on others, ruling out the capacity for meaningful choices. ARTBOX system is determined to eradicate poverty persistence with each member producing more than he/she can consume within a social stress-free enterprise.

Getting a trainig, I learnt that I shouldn't be overwhelmed by the enormity of challenges we are facing - climate change or poverty - but that I should ask myself what I am doing to address it. That it is enough contribution - if am doing my best, with what I have, from where I am.

Through ARTBOX I am committed to promote networking with academia while enjoying access to a network of international academic cooperation and improves Skills Gap with each member ' s upward mobility through skills attainment using free training and online courses ensuring education and skills is for all.

I believe with this project I can help promote parenting styles and time investments in mother’s sensitivity and responsiveness for higher cognitive performance of low-income children. This can improve their productivity as they do not have to worry about the safety and well-being of their children. I am now getting a training on how to take what I have learnt directly to communities, bridging the knowledge and practice gap.

If we empower a woman, we empower a nation, hence once step closer to gender equality. Women are economic agents. They are key contributors to economies as producers of food, managers of natural resources, caretakers of children and the elderly, entrepreneurs and employees in businesses, and as significant contributors to building the resilience of communities to climate change and disaster. They are responsible for securing water, food and energy and sustaining their families which indicates that they are intricately linked to the environment.

We must recognize that society cannot develop economically, politically, or socially when a great percentage of its population is marginalized. And Kenya is setting up a good example.

For example, a woman from Kenya was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. Professor Wangari Maathai stands at the front of the fight to promote ecologically viable social, economic and cultural development in Kenya and in Africa. She has taken a holistic approach to sustainable development that embraces democracy, human rights and women’s rights in particular.

Like her I wanted to think globally and act locally. In accepting the voluntary work for ARTBOX, I think I am also following the steps of Professor Maathai:

“I always felt that our work was not simply about planting trees. It was about inspiring people to take charge of their environment, the system that governed them, their lives, and their future.”

Equality should be observed. It is our responsibility to do the best that we can as, the future is Female!

And we #ChooseToChallenge!

Melody OKIRI

ARTBOX Ambassador - Kenya