Water hyacinth, an aquatic plant native to the Amazon Basin, has become a significant challenge in Lake Victoria. Its rapid growth clogs waterways, hampers fishing activities and threatens the lake’s biodiversity. The fight against this invasive species requires innovative solutions and relentless effort, and women have risen to the challenge, transforming adversity into an opportunity for environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
At the regional level, Dr Mary Atieno is a key figure in the Women in Water Diplomacy Network. She highlights the importance of integrating local insights into policy-making. “Our policies are only as effective as their implementation on the ground,” she says. We regularly engage with grassroots leaders to ensure our strategies are both practical and impactful. This continuous dialogue enriches our policies and communities.”
Dr Atieno elaborates on how to bridge the gap between policy and practice. She describes regular forums and workshops where policymakers and community leaders exchange ideas and feedback. These sessions address real-time challenges and adapt strategies to local contexts. “By involving those directly affected by our policies, we can tailor our approaches to meet their unique needs and circumstances,” she says.
“Our policies are only as effective as their implementation on the ground.”
Dr Mary Atieno
She also discusses the significance of involving local communities through these engagements. By incorporating grassroots leaders in policy-making, the Women in Water Diplomacy Network ensures community voices are heard and valued. This inclusive approach strengthens the effectiveness of policies and fosters a sense of ownership and accountability among community members.
“It’s not just about creating policies; it’s about creating partnerships,” Dr Atieno concludes by stressing the importance of continuous dialogue and collaboration. “Through our collective efforts, we can achieve sustainable solutions that benefit both the environment and the people who depend on it.”
On a local level, Achieng Otieno leads the Women’s Environmental Network in Kisumu. This grassroots initiative has mobilised hundreds of women to engage in daily clean-up activities around Lake Victoria. “Our work is hard, but it’s necessary,” says Otieno. “We are not just cleaning the lake; we are securing our livelihoods and our children’s future.”
Otieno details her group’s various challenges, from the physical toll of the clean-up efforts to the logistical difficulties of organising and sustaining large-scale volunteer activities. Despite these obstacles, the women remain committed to their mission, driven by their work’s immediate and long-term benefits. “We see the positive impact every day. Cleaner waters mean better health for our families and more abundant fish stocks, which are crucial for our local economy,” she says.
Collaboration with larger organisations and networks has been instrumental in the success of the Women’s Environmental Network. Otieno emphasises that these partnerships provide vital funding, equipment, and training resources. “We receive support that allows us to scale our operations and make a more significant impact,” she notes. Additionally, being part of broader networks gives the group a platform to voice their challenges and successes, advocating for greater attention and support from regional and international bodies.
“We are not just cleaning the lake; we are securing our livelihoods and our children’s future.”
Achieng Otieno
Otieno shares stories of how these collaborations have led to tangible improvements. For example, training programmes facilitated by larger organisations have equipped women with better waste management techniques and knowledge about sustainable practices. These skills enhance the efficiency of their clean-up activities and enable the women to educate others in their community.
She also highlights the importance of visibility and advocacy. Through their connection with more extensive networks, the Women’s Environmental Network has brought their issues to the forefront, garnering support and recognition. “It’s important for us to be seen and heard. Sharing our successes inspires others to join us and helps us secure additional support,” Otieno says.
Achieng Otieno’s leadership and the collective efforts of the Women’s Environmental Network demonstrate how vital grassroots initiatives are in driving environmental change. Their work, supported by collaborations with larger organisations, improves the local ecosystem and strengthens the community’s sustainability. “Together, we are building a better future for our children and ensuring that our natural resources are preserved for generations to come,” she says.
At the grassroots level, individual efforts shine through in stories like that of Grace Mwende, a community organiser in Homa Bay. Mwende’s group manually removes water hyacinth and finds innovative uses for the harvested biomass, such as crafting biogas and organic fertilisers. “We are directly affected by the water hyacinth, so our motivation is strong,” Mwende says. “But we can’t do it alone. The support and recognition from regional and organisational levels fuel our determination and provide us with much-needed resources.”
Mwende highlights the importance of external assistance in providing technical training, equipment, and financial support. This support has been crucial in scaling their operations and sustaining their efforts. Collaborations with larger organisations have also opened up knowledge exchange and capacity-building opportunities. Mwende’s group has benefited from workshops on sustainable practices and access to advanced tools that make their work more efficient. “These partnerships help us innovate and find better ways to use the resources we extract from the lake,” she says.
“We are directly affected by the water hyacinth, so our motivation is strong.”
Grace Mwende
Moreover, recognition from higher levels has boosted the morale of the group members. Acknowledged for their hard work and impact has validated their efforts and inspired more community members to join their cause. “When people see the tangible benefits of our work and the recognition we receive, they are more inclined to support and participate,” Mwende explains.
Her group’s efforts demonstrate how local action can lead to sustainable and impactful solutions when backed by regional and organisational support. “Together, we are making a difference,” Mwende says. “We are fighting the water hyacinth and creating a better, more sustainable future for our community.”
Policies developed at the regional level benefit significantly from grassroots leaders’ practical insights and feedback. At the same time, local initiatives gain crucial support and visibility by associating with larger, more influential platforms – all signs of leveraged interdependence.
“Our recent policy on sustainable biomass utilisation was inspired by the innovative practices we observed in Kisumu. This policy provides guidelines for other regions and channels funding and technical support to enhance these grassroots solutions,” says Dr Mary Atieno. The innovations in Kisumu, led by groups like Achieng Otieno’s Women’s Environmental Network, have demonstrated effective methods of converting water hyacinth into biogas and organic fertilisers. These practices have mitigated the invasive plant’s environmental impact and provided economic benefits to the local community.
“Our organisational efforts are amplified when grounded in real-world applications.”
Jane Muthoni
Jane Muthoni, another Women in Water Diplomacy Network member, adds, “Our organisational efforts are amplified when they are grounded in real-world applications. Our feedback loop with local leaders ensures our projects are relevant and sustainable.” Muthoni emphasises the importance of ongoing communication and collaboration, where regional leaders continually incorporate grassroots experiences into their policy frameworks, ensuring that these policies are practical and impactful.
The battle against water hyacinths in Lake Victoria is far from over, but women’s strides at various leadership levels are remarkable. By bridging the gap between high-level decision-making and grassroots action, these women are reclaiming their environment and redefining genuine cooperation. Their collective efforts embody the spirit of freedom and offer a sustainable, inclusive leadership model that can inspire similar initiatives across the Nile Basin and the globe.
This article is part of The Niles Issue #19, The Feminine & The Nile, produced by Media in Cooperation and Transition (MiCT) with financial support from the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). It is part of the initiative The Niles: Strengthening Media Capacities and Networks in the Nile Basin, supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and commissioned by the German Federal Foreign Office (AA). The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of SIWI, GIZ, the German Federal Foreign Office, or MiCT.
