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So What's the Big Picture Now?
Reduced domestic violence and FGM amongst Women in Ghana...
30,000 farmers in N Ghana have increased production through sustainable farming...
Strengthened the only women led Maasai organisation in Tanzania...
Secured Land for 200,000 Maasai Pastoralists and 5,000 hunter gatherers...
Raised awareness of issues of EU trade policies in Northern Ghana...
Jane Garvey is presenting the African Initiatives appeal; well known for heading Women’s Hour on Radio 4 she represents the dynamism and commitment to women’s issues so key to African Initiatives’ partners, the Pastoral Women’s Council who fight so tirelessly for women’s rights and girls’ education in Tanzania .
Rosie Martin, African Initiatives’ Coordinator says “Jane will be talking about African Initiatives’ work in education, giving women a voice and encouraging female leadership at a local level. It’s vital these women learn to speak out and express their views if their lives and their children’s lives are to change for the better. That’s what Women’s Hour is all about – and that’s why it’s so great that Jane Garvey is supporting us in this appeal.”
Listen to Jane Garvey present African Initiatives’ appeal
The Pastoral Women’s Council: Women raising their Voices.
As Jane says in the appeal, Maanda Ngoitiko sought African Initiatives out to support her in forming the Pastoral Women’s Council because she believed that pastoralist women could make a difference. With the support of AI, Maanda brought women together, potentially for the first time in Maasai history.
Mairetway Nguyu was at that first meeting. “There I learnt that there was a way for women to meet and discuss their own issues and come up with a solution. I became really excited and very happy, especially when they talked about girls being able to go to school.” Initially the dream of Maanda and a group of 7 other women, including Mairetway, PWC has now developed into a community organisation with over 1000 members.
From Strength to Strength.
Mairetway has really noticed changes over the last 10 years when PWC (working with AI) have been working in the area. “Now women are accepted at all meetings. This is the best thing. Before this we never even went to Village government meetings and now and even have some women on the Village Council.” “We had a big meeting and we said if we are not able to make decisions we would not vote”
