Leadership and economic empowerment among Ogiek Women in Mau, Kenya

32 women participated in a workshop on leadership, negotiation and group dynamics for their management of Indigenous businesses

FSC-IF

In the heart of the Mau Forest, Kenya, a transformative initiative is underway for Ogiek Indigenous women leading socio-economic empowerment of their businesses and communities.

Through a collaborative effort between the Ogiek Peoples’ Development Program (OPDP) and the FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF), the “Promoting Socio-Economic Empowerment among Ogiek Women of Mau” project is designed to equip women leaders with essential skills in leadership and business management, fostering their ability to create sustainable economic opportunities.

Ogiek women, who have long faced significant challenges due to historical injustices and marginalization, are developing the skills and tools they need to thrive so they can advocate for their community’s rights and future. In the project, 16 women’s groups have been selected to receive seed funding and relevant training, using a train-the-trainers methodology.

Day 1: Leadership and Group Management

The workshop, held in Nakuru, Kenya in July 2024, began with a prayer and participant introductions, where attendees shared their names and affiliations. Ms. Eunice Chepkemoi from OPDP outlined the workshop’s goals, emphasizing the importance of empowering Ogiek women. Christopher Kipkones, Chairperson of OPDP Board, officially opened the workshop and highlighted the significance of the workshop for enhancing socio-economic projects in the community. He reiterated OPDP’s mission to address historical injustices and improve the socio-economic status of Ogiek women.

The first training session, led by Mary Omukhango from Uwezo Fund, a Kenya government empowerment fund, focused on effective group formation and management. Participants learned about different types of groups, the benefits of collaboration, and the five stages of group development. In the second session, participants were guided through drafting group constitutions, emphasizing the importance of governance and collaboration. The day concluded with discussions on potential funding sources and the value of networking for sustainability.

“It is not wrong to be born poor, but it is wrong to die poor,” said Eunice Chepkemoi, underscoring the session’s theme of empowerment and self-sufficiency.

Day 2: Leadership and Business Skills
The second day centered on leadership qualities and the development of viable business ideas. Participants discussed the attributes of effective leaders and the challenges they may face, including disagreements and need for vision. Key roles within groups were defined, with shared experiences underscoring the necessity for transparency in managing group resources. Participants were encouraged to explore market opportunities and adapt to changing environments.

“Know who you are; you are more than what you think you are,” said the facilitator, emphasizing a message of empowerment.

The session also included brainstorming business ideas, with groups presenting innovative concepts that addressed community needs. Mary Omukhango the facilitator, emphasized the importance of collective agreement on business initiatives to ensure commitment.

Day 3: Business and Management Skills

The final day began with a recap of previous sessions, reinforcing the idea that business is essential for poverty eradication. The first session covered branding and advertising, highlighting the importance of creating a unique brand identity and effective marketing strategies. Participants learned about the significance of clear communication and customer understanding.

Subsequent discussions focused on the necessity of accurate record keeping for transparency and the vital role of monitoring and evaluation in project management. Participants were encouraged to adopt recommendations for sustainability, including capacity building and diversifying income sources.

In closing, Daniel Kobei, Executive Director of OPDP urged participants to share their knowledge within the Ogiek community and to innovate for financial independence. He framed the training as the beginning of their empowerment journey, emphasizing the importance of applying what they learned for their collective success.

“We will follow up on your projects to ensure they are on the right track, do work for the community and apply what you have learned. This is just the beginning of your journey towards empowerment and success,” he said.

Follow our website and social media for the latest updates on how these sixteen Ogiek women’s groups are leading transformative change.

We invite organizations and entities to become our financial and technical partners to continue and multiply the important impact of this project and other crucial initiatives. If your organization or business is interested in collaborating with us and with Indigenous women for sustainable change, we invite you to connect at fsc.if@fsc.org. 

Indigenous leadership for lands, forests, and territories

Central African Indigenous leaders gather for training on advocacy, leadership, communication, and project management in Douala, Cameroon.

FSC-IF

Central Africa’s forest ecosystems are home to exceptional biodiversity, offering vast potential for the socio-economic development of the region. Recognizing the ecological and economic importance of these forests—and the growing threats they face—the Heads of State of Central Africa pledged in March 1999 through the “Yaoundé Declaration” to work collaboratively towards the conservation and sustainable management of their countries’ forest ecosystems. This commitment supports the economic and social development efforts of their populations.

In line with this vision, the Network of Indigenous and Local Populations for the Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems in Central Africa (REPALEAC) was established in 2003. As a key partner under the FSC Indigenous Foundation’s Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development (IPARD) Program, REPALEAC serves as a sub-regional platform for promoting and protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) across Central Africa. The network unites over 200 grassroots Indigenous community organizations, spread across eight national networks in Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Chad.

From 26-30 August 2024, REPALEAC, in collaboration with the FSC Indigenous Foundation, hosted an intensive training workshop in Douala, Cameroon, with 50 representatives from its member organizations to strengthen the organizational and operational capacities of the network.

Throughout the week, participants engaged in sessions designed to:

Enhance their knowledge of leadership, advocacy techniques, organizational communication, and project management principles.
Equip them with the technical skills necessary for collecting data on land tenure within Indigenous territories. This includes training on cartography, participatory mapping—particularly three-dimensional mapping—and the creation of databases to document the areas occupied by Indigenous Peoples in Central Africa.
Provide a deeper understanding of FSC standards related to Indigenous Peoples and the relationship between FSC and the FSC-IF, as well as USAID guidelines and policies concerning Indigenous Peoples. The workshop also explored the integration of Indigenous rights and priorities in USAID’s bilateral cooperation programs with states.

The workshop’s opening ceremony was graced by the Vice President of REPALEAC, highlighting the significance of the event for the region’s Indigenous communities.

“The forests of Central Africa are not just natural resources; they are the lifeblood of our communities, sustaining our way of life and our cultural heritage,” stated a representative from REPALEAC during the opening remarks.

“This workshop is a crucial step towards ensuring that Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities are at the forefront of decisions affecting their lands and resources,” said another REPALEAC representative.

REPALEAC members were curious to understand how USAID works with organizations such as the FSC-IF.

“For Indigenous Peoples, Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) is important because it is the right to self-determination; opportunities for socioeconomic development and benefit-sharing; safeguarding against adverse impacts on lands, territories, natural resources, cultural heritage and/or sacred sites; supporting and aligning with Indigenous development plans and fulfilling obligations under international, regional and national regulatory frameworks,” said Vy Lam, USAID Indigenous Peoples Advisor.

The workshop focused on implementing REPALEAC’s strategic plan, which has four key objectives:

Securing Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities’ lands, vision territories, and natural resources.

Ensuring IPLC participation in decisions concerning access to and sustainable management of land, forests, and natural resources at local, national, and international levels.

Increasing and consolidating sustainable economic benefits for IPLCs from the management of natural resources and forests.

Improving the living conditions of IPLCs sustainably.

“We are very grateful to the FSC-IF for the ongoing training in Douala. The module on ‘Leadership’ will surely bear fruit where the leadership of the network at the national level will demonstrate quality organizations.” said Basiru Isa, the REPALEAC’s Secretary General.

“Empowering our communities with knowledge and skills is essential for us to effectively protect our lands and assert our rights,” remarked one of the participants.

“This workshop is not just about learning; it’s about preparing to take action in our respective countries,” said another REPALEAC representative.

At the conclusion of the workshop, participants drafted action plans to implement the knowledge they acquired to make a tangible impact in their home countries.

In her closing remarks, Salina Sanou, FSC-IF Regional Director for Africa and Asia stated, “FSC-IF is pleased to be your partner of choice. We’re here to support you every step of the way. We’re also ready to learn from you because that’s what partnership is all about. Call on us any time. Our commitment to Indigenous Peoples knows no bounds.”

As we left this gathering, FSC-IF called for a working committee to co-create new initiatives with us for funding to scale up work with Indigenous Peoples in the African region.

This workshop is part of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development (IPARD) Program, supported by USAID, the Forest Stewardship Council, and private sector partners.

Announcement of the Online Course: “Right to Consultation and Free, Prior and Informed Consent”

The course will contribute to the rights and sustainable development of Indigenous Peoples in Central America.

FSC-IF

Panama August 27, 2024

The FSC Indigenous Foundation, in collaboration with the Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests (AMPB), the Autonomous University of Chiapas (UNACH), and Equitable Origin, is proud to announce the start of the online course on the Right to Consultation and Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). The course begins today, August 27, 2024, with an opening and induction session to welcome participants and present the course contents and study format.

FPIC is a specific right of Indigenous Peoples recognized in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) that allows Indigenous Peoples to give or withdraw their consent, at any time, concerning projects affecting their territories.

“Historically, our Indigenous Peoples have been expelled from their ancestral lands to make way for extractive projects, violating the good living of many Indigenous Peoples. Empowering ourselves in these processes such as FPIC, allows us to make decisions in any proposed development activity in our Indigenous communities.”
Nely González, Lenca People, Confederation of Indigenous Peoples of Honduras (CONPAH), who will participate in this course.

The objective of this course is to empower Indigenous leaders and technicians from countries in Central America to guide their communities and organizations in consultation and advocacy processes, understand and apply national and international legislation on FPIC, and use national and international mechanisms for the effective protection of Indigenous territorial rights.

Through this course, the 50 participants will receive training through five modules with legal lecturers specialized in Indigenous Peoples’ rights on protection and defense of territorial rights, informed consent, and relevant national and international legal mechanisms.

The course will run for three months, meeting weekly. UNACH will certify participants who have satisfactorily completed the course, readings, exercises, and practical work.

We are excited about the start of this training and are confident that this course will contribute significantly to the empowerment of Indigenous Peoples in the region to manage, develop, and govern their territories based on the principles of self-development, environmental stewardship, and respect for their rights.

“It is of great importance to be able to participate in the FPIC course, it provides us with the necessary tools so that our Indigenous Peoples know their rights and are protagonists of the initiatives or projects that they do not accept by imposition, but that the cosmovision of our peoples is respected, the benefits they will acquire and what the risks will be in any scenario.”
Marlene Herández, Ngäbe-Buglé People, Panama, working for Geoveristy and participant in this course

This initiative is part of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development (IPARD) Program, supported by USAID, the Forest Stewardship Council, and private sector partners.

TV Indígena wins consultancy to create a campaign to increase the social visibility of Indigenous women in Panamá

The campaign will break false stereotypes and strengthen Indigenous women’s identity and leadership.

FSC-IF

The FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF) has contracted TV Indígena, an Indigenous media company that promotes the visibility and development of Indigenous Peoples, to carry out a communications campaign for the social visibility of Indigenous women in Panama, break false stereotypes, and strengthen Indigenous women’s identity and leadership.

This campaign is part of the FSC-IF’s commitment to support the implementation of the Indigenous Women of Panama’s Economic Empowerment Plan (PEMIP 2025) under the Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development (IPARD) Program.

Communications campaign

The campaign will promote the visibility of Indigenous women in Panama, through communication and dissemination strategies, highlighting their achievements, challenges, and contributions to their communities and society as a whole. It will be developed with the Indigenous Women’s Advisory Committee of Panama (CAMIP), who will participate in the campaign’s design, implementation, and storytelling.

It will challenge and dismantle ingrained stereotypes and prejudices about Indigenous women, fostering a more just, inclusive and respectful perception of their diversity, including their realities and roles. It aims to sensitize both Panama and the international community about Indigenous women’s rights, culture, and aspirations, promoting solidarity, respect, and collaboration in the construction of a more inclusive and equitable world.

Finally, the campaign will provide tools, resources, and training opportunities that enable Indigenous women to strengthen their cultural identity, improve their communication and leadership skills, and actively participate in decision-making in their communities.

About TV Indígena

TV Indígena is a leading initiative in the field of Indigenous communication in Panama and the Abya Yala region (Americas). Since its founding in 2017, TV Indígena has stood out for its unwavering commitment to the promotion of the rights and culture of Indigenous Peoples, as well as for its innovative and participatory approach in the production and dissemination of audiovisual content together with the territories and traditional authorities.

TV Indígena has worked closely with Cultural Survival on its grant program and targeted programs for Indigenous women, especially through its “Desde la Comunidad” program.

At the international level, TV Indígena has collaborated with the Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests during Climate Week, creating content, interviewing Mesoamerican leaders, and providing streaming services, promoting the participation of Indigenous Peoples in the fight against climate change.

TV Indígena has also participated in the “Panama Te Quiero Verde” campaign, with important allies highlighting the importance of a mining-free Panama, creating content on the importance of Panama’s biodiversity and making visible the participation of the Panamanian community and finally achieving the unconstitutionality of Minera Panama. This campaign went viral internationally, achieving the support of actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, and youth activist Greta Thumber, demonstrating the impact and influence of TV Indígena in the defense of environmental and cultural rights.

TV Indígena has been actively working with women and Indigenous authorities of the 12 territories of Panama, making visible the development of the 12 territories, participating in congresses, and creating content for the Indigenous Women’s Advisory Committee of Panama.

Today, TV Indígena creates audiovisual content, podcasts for various Indigenous social networks, expanding its reach and reaching new audiences around the world. With a diverse and committed team, composed of young people from the 5 Indigenous peoples of Panama, TV Indígena continues its work of empowerment and promotion of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, using communication as a powerful tool for change and social transformation.

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