Rural Women Celebration 2024
The Paran Women Organization celebrated rural women by honoring their resilience, contributions, and roles in sustaining their communities. The event highlighted the importance of rural women in food production, biodiversity conservation, and cultural preservation. Activities included storytelling sessions, showcasing traditional skills, and discussions on empowering women through education, leadership, and economic opportunities. This celebration underscored the value of rural women as key drivers of sustainable development and advocated for greater support to address the challenges they face.
Restoration
An inspiring environmental restoration initiative of Mau Forest, one of Kenya’s critical water towers is underway, spearheaded by the Paran women group. This dedicated collective of Indigenous women has committed themselves to the revitalization of their native lands, which are crucial not only for their communities but for the ecological health of the entire Rift Valley region.Their efforts are supported by TerraMatch, a platform linking reforestation projects with funders, under the larger umbrella of the AFR100 initiative.The activities of the Paran women group are multifaceted, ranging from reforestation to educating the local community about sustainable land use practices. By planting trees, they not only restore the degraded land but also create a buffer that helps protect the intact areas of the forest. These efforts are instrumental in preserving the biodiversity of the region, which includes numerous species of flora and fauna unique to the area.
2024 International Women’s Day Celebrations
This Women’s Day, over 110 women from 13 distinct women’s groups came together at the Paran Resource and Knowledge Center to mark this significant occasion with joy and purpose. The event served as a vibrant platform for these women to celebrate their achievements, strengthen connections, and foster collaboration.The gathering was not merely a celebration but also an enriching opportunity for learning and exchange. Representatives from each group shared their experiences, challenges, and success stories, inspiring one another with innovative ideas and solutions for development. Topics discussed included economic empowerment projects, sustainable livelihoods, leadership, and community-building strategies.
Through this initiative, the Paran Resource and Knowledge Center demonstrated its role as a hub for growth and empowerment, facilitating networking and providing a supportive environment for women to explore and implement actionable ideas for collective progress. This event underscored the transformative power of unity and the impact women can create when they come together to share knowledge and build solidarity.
Enviromental Conservation Initiative
We initiated an impactful project titled “Scaling Up Afforestation, Reforestation, and Landscape Restoration,” aimed at addressing the growing challenges posed by climate change. This initiative focuses on empowering Indigenous women and local communities to restore degraded ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and foster sustainable land management practices.
With the generous support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the project is not just an environmental endeavor but also a transformative effort to combat climate change, which disproportionately affects women. By actively engaging in tree planting and reforestation efforts, the initiative seeks to sequester carbon, restore soil fertility, and improve water conservation in the affected landscapes.
This work highlights the critical role Indigenous women play in climate action and ecological stewardship. It aligns with traditional knowledge systems while promoting innovative solutions to protect natural resources. Furthermore, it empowers women by involving them directly in decision-making processes and providing them with skills to manage reforestation projects sustainably.
The project serves as a testament to the resilience and proactive approach of Indigenous women in addressing climate challenges, not only for their communities but also for the broader global environment.
2023 International Women's Day
In 2023, we celebrated International Women’s Day with the support of Indigenous Information Network, Africa Indigenous Women Organization, and their partners. The event brought together Indigenous women from various counties and Tanzania, fostering collaboration and unity. Activities highlighted the achievements of Indigenous women, promoted gender equality, and focused on sharing traditional knowledge, leadership strategies, and empowerment initiatives. This celebration reinforced the collective strength and resilience of Indigenous women in advocating for their rights and sustainable development.
2022 16 days of Activism
In 2022, the Paran Women Organization actively participated in the 16 Days of Activism campaign with support from the Africa Indigenous Women Organization and their partners. The initiative aimed to raise awareness and take action against gender-based violence, focusing on empowering women and advocating for their rights. Through workshops, community dialogues, and cultural activities, the campaign fostered solidarity and provided a platform for women to share their experiences and solutions, strengthening efforts to end violence and promote equality within their communities.
