Thirteenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

Kenya’s Green Belt movement (KGBM), is a socio environmental movement with a difference. Noble Laureate, Wangari Maathai, founded it in 1977 as a way to empower poor women. With over one hundred thousand members, this civil society organization believes in bringing the socio political change by consensus instead of traditional conflictual approach. The first decade of the movement focused on transforming the social arena through reforestation and education. The next five to six years of KGBM were openly challenging the political arena. Later it expanded its wings in many African countries as the Pan African Green Belt Network and also as Green Belt Movement International (GBMI). It Integrates the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs; reversing loss of environmental resources” and working for the promotion of gender equality and empower women” (UN). Its branch ‘Women for Change ‘ helps young girls and women to face the challenges of growing up, making complex decisions about their sexual and reproductive health, and gaining knowledge and skills to protect themselves form HIV and AIDS. It provides different ways to promote bee-keeping, economic empowerment, and healthy eating habits of indigenous food crops. This paper examines the contribution of KGBM to bring changes in society.