Empowering African Indigenous Women for Climate Resilience

In many African communities, women are the stewards of biodiversity. Indigenous women, in particular, are often overlooked champions of land management. Their deep knowledge of local landscapes and native species—ranging from seed selection to soil care—plays a vital role in environmental restoration efforts.

According to WRI, the Paran Women Group, based in Ololunga, Kenya, is a collective of 64 indigenous women’s groups working together to restore their ecosystem. Since its establishment in 2005, Paran has revived hundreds of hectares of degraded land and fostered a culture of social empowerment, economic resilience, and the preservation of traditional knowledge passed down by women who care for their ancestral lands.

Women Land Ownership in Kenya

Historically, women in Kenya have been unable to own land or property due to the country’s predominantly patriarchal culture, which marginalises and discriminates against women within their families, communities, and society at large.

While recent legal reforms, such as Article 40 of the 2010 Constitution, guarantee the right to property ownership, and Article 60 ensures equitable access to land and the security of land rights, these legislations do not address women’s historical landlessness.

Additionally, laws like the National Land Commission Act (2012), the Land Act (2012), and the Land Registration Act (2012) emphasise gender equality in land access. However, society’s deeply ingrained patriarchal attitudes make it challenging to implement and realise the full impact of these laws.

There is still much work to be done to address societal biases against women, starting with awareness training and education for women and society about the laws and policies related to land and women’s property rights.

It is crucial to raise awareness about the current state of these laws and offer suggestions for improving and protecting women’s land and property rights in Kenya. Empowering women with this knowledge will enable them to legally register the land they own, safeguarding it in the event of divorce, widowhood, or other legal challenges.

If societal cultural norms hinder Kenyan women from fully claiming and enjoying their land rights, this challenge is even more significant for indigenous women. Indigenous people in Kenya are marginalised both within their communities and in the broader society due to their distinct cultural practices and ways of life, which are closely connected to their ancestral lands.

As a result, indigenous women face a dual disadvantage, experiencing discrimination based on both their gender and ethnicity, which often silences their voices, especially when it comes to their vital role as environmental stewards.

Inclusive Finance Play a Crucial Role in Supporting Restoration Projects in Kenya.

Inclusive finance allows indigenous women to continue their vital work, benefiting their communities through enhanced resilience, stronger local economies, and increased leadership opportunities for traditionally underrepresented groups, particularly indigenous women in Africa.

Unlike traditional funding models, which often favour larger, established organisations, inclusive finance empowers community-led initiatives, especially those involving indigenous women and youth. The goal is to regenerate both the environment and local communities. It ensures that financial resources are accessible, affordable, and aligned with the indigenous communities’ cultural values and priorities.

One such provider of inclusive finance is TerraFund, which has made nearly 200 investments in community-led initiatives. TerraFund offers loans that are flexible, accessible, and long-term, specifically tailored to the unique needs of grassroots organisations. Additionally, its interest rates are significantly lower than the market average.

Inclusive finance as a tool to secure land rights for indigenous women

The WRI article highlights how inclusive finance-funded restoration projects led by indigenous women can help them secure land tenure through land registration deeds. In Kenya, reliable financial resources can empower women to negotiate and formalise land agreements.

Investments in local and indigenous women provide practical and sustainable solutions to combat land degradation. With the proper financial support and strategic partnerships, women across Africa can play a crucial role in restoring degraded landscapes, preserving biodiversity and climate resilience, and ensuring the sustainability of the natural resources that everyone depends on.

Watch the WRI video on how indigenous communities use traditional knowledge to restore the once-lush Mau Forest and protect vital water resources for the region.

Browse the links in the ” Source ” section below to learn more about how finance supports indigenous women in restoring degraded lands in Kenya.