Nanyuki: Indigenous women from 23 Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALS) have issued a raft of demands to the government which they say will help address challenges facing marginalized communities in the wake of climate change threats and technological advancement. Among the issues raised on the commemoration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples were delays in resolution to cases of historical injustices, displacement, and harm caused by extractive and mega infrastructure projects such as LAPSSET and British Army training operations.
According to Kenya News Agency, the indigenous women emphasized the need for fast-tracking the implementation and resolution of historical land injustices, including compensation for victims of human rights conflicts. Samburu Women Trust director Jane Meliwas, who convened the workshop, highlighted these demands. The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, observed on August 9 and set by the United Nations, serves as a platform for communities to advocate for inclusivity across all leadership levels.
Prior to the 2010 Constitution, women in patriarchal societies faced suppression, with limited representation in political leadership and property ownership. However, women are gradually claiming their rightful spaces in society. Meliwas stressed the importance of enforcing affirmative action policies to ensure representation for indigenous women, youth, and women with disabilities in both national and county governments.
Under the banner of the Indigenous Women Council, about 300 women grassroots leaders gathered for a three-day workshop in Nanyuki, Laikipia County, as part of Indigenous People’s Day celebrations. The resolutions from this gathering emphasized preserving cultural heritage, such as native languages, through educational curricula that raise awareness about harmful cultural practices.
The Indigenous Women Council, which includes pastoralists, hunter-gatherers, and fisherfolk communities, also advocates for the establishment of adequately staffed gender desks at police stations nationwide. These desks would facilitate access to justice for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in remote areas. The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), co-convening the conference with Samburu Women Trust, called for laws protecting heritage through data, cultural values, and ancestral lands.
Josephat Lowoi, Head of Marginalized Affairs Communities in the Office of the President, announced a new policy under development to support growth in underdeveloped areas overlooked by Session Number 10 of 1969. The conference also celebrated a decade of achievements, including land ownership and leadership roles in government, enabling women to amplify their voices and support others at the grassroots level.
