Safeguarding Kenya’s Forest Cover: ENAF Partners with Local Communities for Mazingira Day

Happy Mazingira Day!

Dr Jennifer Riria, President of Echo Network Africa Foundation, wishes to remind Kenyans of the key role that girls and women play in the protection of the environment. Together we can safeguard Kenya’s forest cover.

This Mazingira Week, Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) recognises women, young women and girls as leaders and agents of environmental action. A healthy environment is deeply connected to women’s lives, livelihoods, dignity and future. ENAF champions the message that women are powerful environmental actors who build climate-resilient livelihoods, rather than simply being beneficiaries of environmental programmes.

Putting this core message into practice, ENAF facilitated a community-led tree planting exercise on Friday, 9th October. The successful coordination of the day was driven by the ENAF Local Implementing Partner (LIP), Jivunie Vismart CBO, who actively mobilised the Rafiki Women Group to take the lead in restoring their local environment. This active participation highlights that when women have the opportunity to shape how natural resources are managed, the benefits extend to households, communities and future generations.

This impactful event was made possible through a valuable collaboration with the Kenya Scouts Association, Kilifi Branch. ENAF highly values this partnership, which saw the Association generously donate 100 indigenous tree seedlings to support the restoration efforts. By providing these essential resources, the Kenya Scouts Association demonstrated a shared commitment to advancing women’s agency and building sustainable ecosystems alongside local communities.