Project launch: making the green transition inclusive of women with disabilities in Isiolo County

As a recipient of a grant under the Meaningful Engagement - Transformative Action (META) consortium, our member NONDO (Northern Nomadic Disabled Persons Organization) has launched a project on making the green transition inclusive of women with disabilities in Isiolo County. This is the first of two county project launches, with the second one happening in Nairobi County in June. 

META is a joint initiative by African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET), the Coalition for Sustainable Development (SDGs Kenya Forum) and Women Engage for a Common Future International (WECF) with support from the European Union Delegation in Kenya.

“We are honoured to be implementing this climate justice-related advocacy project in Isiolo County. There is so much that needs to be highlighted on how women with disabilities from pastoralist communities navigate and lead conversations on the green transition,” said Fatma Mohammed, the CEO of NONDO.   

The Isiolo launch brought together diverse stakeholders including women leaders with disabilities from different wards, relevant county government stakeholders, representatives from disability organizations and development partners.

Increasing leadership and contributions of women with disabilities 

As the project seeks to increase the visibility, leadership and contributions of women with disabilities in conversations and actions related to the green transition, it was encouraging to have, among the women with disabilities present, one who is a part of the climate change ward committee. The project intends to engage more with the county government to consider increasing the participation of more women with disabilities in such ward committees.

The inception launch offered a good opportunity for direct engagement between the women with disabilities and related county government departments. Present included the Director, Energy and Natural Resources in the Department of Environment, Energy, Natural resources and Climate Change; Director, Gender and Social Services; the County Coordinator National Council for Persons with Disabilities; as well as representation from the Water Department.

In the interactive dialogues, it was encouraging to have the women with disabilities seek clarifications from the county government on what was being done to make life better for women with disabilities especially considering climate change and its impacts.  One of the questions that was poignant from a participant to the county government was on measures the government is intending to take when it rains heavily and the roads are damaged which gets dangerous for women with disabilities using the roads.  

Things should change 

“Why don’t things change,” said a blind woman participant. ‘The terrain is unfriendly not just for me as a blind woman, but for others as well.’ Another participant wondered about how women with disabilities access humanitarian aid. In the face of climate change and prolonged droughts or floods, there have been instances that communities here receive government aid. A participant wondered about how easy and safe it is for women with disabilities to access such aid.  

While speaking about the green transition, the rich conversations showed that there are so many things to speak to in the space of green transition conversations. It is inspiring that these conversations are based on the lived experiences of the women with disabilities, and hence demanding change is a deeply personal endeavor for all of them. 

It is many things, starting from disability certifications and how government is registering people with disabilities as it is one of the ways that they receive government support, for example humanitarian aid. It is also to do with nutrition and how communities access nutritious foods in the face of climate change and how agricultural activities are affected. It is also about energy and cooking methods and what is accessible to families of women with disabilities; as well as livelihoods; about water and its access. All these conversations coming under the green transition are what we shall keep considering as we move along with the project participants.   

Shifting the narrative 

At the Network level, we are keen to shift the narrative from exclusion to empowerment by ensuring women with disabilities are not only included in climate and environmental conversations but are also recognized as leaders and solution-holders.

Together with the project participants, we will map existing environmental policies and county development plans to assess whether county green transition plans ensure disability inclusion. This will offer us a broad picture of how our participants who are women with disabilities will keep engaging with the county governments. 

We will document experiences through a documentary, contributing to the broader discussion on disability inclusion in climate action. We will highlight stories, challenges, and innovations led by women with disabilities, helping to expand the public conversation and influence policies toward a more inclusive green transition. We shall also develop an advocacy manual that others in the disability space and broadly can use especially in awareness raising within climate justice spaces.  

‘As NONDO, together with other Network members, we envision a future where women with disabilities in our counties are recognized as key actors in building climate-resilient communities, with the tools, platforms, and visibility to drive sustainable change,’ said Fatma.