ActionAid Kenya actively participated in the 2nd East Africa Agroecology Conference in Nairobi, represented by Lucy Ntongai, Project Coordinator of the Gender Responsive Alternatives to Climate Change project, and Mercy Gichengi, Programme Coordinator for Youth & Governance, alongside ActionAid affiliates from Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The conference, which brought together stakeholders from across the region, provided a platform for dialogue on enhancing sustainable agricultural practices and addressing climate change.
At the forefront of ActionAid Kenya’s message was the urgent need to improve access to financing for agroecology, particularly for youth, women, and local community institutions. The organization stressed the importance of removing restrictive barriers to enable marginalized communities to fully participate in and benefit from agroecology solutions.
“To achieve meaningful and sustainable progress in agroecology, it is essential that financing mechanisms be more inclusive and accessible to those most impacted by climate change. This includes women, youth, and community organizations that are driving grassroots change,” said Lucy Ntongai, Project Coordinator.
In addition to advocating for better access to resources, ActionAid Kenya emphasized the need for adopting inclusive, systemic approaches that recognize the interconnectedness of gender, environmental health, and the voices of marginalized communities. These approaches are crucial for promoting locally led agroecology innovations that can transform agriculture in the region.
The organization, in collaboration with its counterparts from across the region: ActionAid Tanzania, ActionAid Rwanda, ActionAid DRC, and ActionAid Denmark hosted a side event focused on the critical importance of land access and control for women and youth in agroecology practices. The event highlighted how empowering women and youth with not just access, but also control over land, is a key factor in ensuring the success and sustainability of agroecological practices.
Mercy Gichengi, a representative from ActionAid Kenya, took to the stage to reinforce this message.
“Empowering women and youth with control over land is not just a matter of fairness; it is a necessity for realizing the full potential of sustainable agroecology practices. Land control gives them the ability to implement long-term, effective solutions that benefit both the environment and their communities.”
The side event was part of ActionAid ’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness and advocate for more inclusive, equitable solutions to the challenges posed by climate change, particularly for women and youth, who are often most affected by environmental degradation.
As the conference concluded, ActionAid remains committed to its mission of advocating for gender-responsive climate action and agroecology practices that promote environmental sustainability and economic resilience in communities across East Africa.
Author: Ezra Kiriago ,Communications Coordinator ActionAid Kenya.