GROOTS Kenya, a women-led network of community-based organisations, was recently honoured with the prestigious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Annual National Awards. This recognition highlights the organisation’s significant role in empowering grassroots women and girls to withstand and respond to the effects of climate change.
Through focused training in advocacy and leadership, GROOTS Kenya equips grassroots women with the tools to actively participate in addressing climate-related challenges. These women, often the most affected by climate crises, face increased risks such as gender-based violence, unpaid care responsibilities, displacement due to drought, and conflicts over scarce resources. Rather than framing them as passive victims, GROOTS Kenya views these women as leaders with valuable knowledge and practical solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation.
The organisation champions the involvement of grassroots women in shaping climate-related policies, accessing climate finance, and leading initiatives in their communities. It works to amplify the voices and leadership of rural, indigenous, and pastoralist women to influence decision-making processes meaningfully.
A powerful example of GROOTS Kenya’s impact is the story of Mary Lemosiany from Laikipia North. Once involved in brewing and selling illicit alcohol, Mary has since become the chair of the Naibunga Community Land Management Committee — the only woman in a male-dominated space. Her journey illustrates how GROOTS Kenya’s support can foster leadership even in the face of cultural and societal barriers. Mary has also become an advocate for sustainable agriculture, training other women in agroforestry and introducing them to new farming techniques. Her work supports income diversification and land restoration, promoting a transition to a greener economy.
Mary’s transformation is a clear example of how GROOTS Kenya empowers grassroots women to lead climate action and build stronger, more resilient communities. The organisation continues to drive change by promoting advocacy, leadership development, and local engagement.
Founded in 1995 following the Fourth UN Conference on Women in Beijing, GROOTS Kenya was established to address the marginalisation of grassroots women in development planning and decision-making. The organisation believes that local women hold unique insights about their communities and are essential to advancing climate resilience.
GROOTS Kenya was recently featured in the publication Feminist Action for Climate Justice: 61 Stories of Change, released by the Generation Equality Action Coalition on Feminist Action for Climate Justice (FACJ). This initiative fosters collaboration between public and private actors to integrate gender considerations into climate policies and practices.
This global coalition has been instrumental in empowering women and girls from diverse backgrounds to lead a just, inclusive transition toward a circular and regenerative green economy. By promoting their involvement in decision-making, advocating for direct access to climate financing, and improving gender-environment data collection, the initiative supports effective and equitable climate solutions.
The FACJ’s latest publication highlights the transformative power of multi-stakeholder collaboration in advancing gender equality and climate action. With 61 stories from governments, civil society, youth groups, international organizations, and grassroots women-led groups, the publication showcases the coalition’s potential to address complex challenges and pave the way for long-term impact by 2026 and beyond