The role of women in the global economy can never be underestimated, and how best to mark it than recognizing their contribution on the International Women’s Day! One Earth Generation teamed up with the Umoja Secondary School in Uasin Gishu County on this great day to not only celebrate women but also do some justice to the environment at the height of the climate crisis. In a tree-planting event at the school, marked on 8th March, 2024, One Earth Generation and Umoja Secondary School joined forces in a call to action on empowering the girl child on climate change knowledge, community engagement and generally environmental leadership.
Part of the activities at Umoja Secondary School to mark the 2024 IWD
Driving the agenda of the day, One Earth Generation’s Program officer Patience Malema started with sensitization of the students on matters to do with climate change. She offered insights on the not just the crisis but also delved into the causes, impacts and how youngsters, especially women and girls can engage in seeking solutions to the crisis both adaptive and mitigative.
Better understanding of the Climate-Environment nexus
An interactive session would erupt thereafter as the One Earth Generation representative opened the floor for Q&A on climate issues, igniting a spark among the students, which in the end led to better understanding of the nexus between the environment and climate as well as how everyone can contribute to finding solutions.
Among the solutions was the highlight of the day – tree planting. Ms Malema led from the front in a hands-on demonstration of how to plant and care for trees. At the end of the day, participants including students, teachers, the local community and One Earth Generation staff planted over 200 trees to commemorate the day.
Green spaces are welcome climate actions
The trees will not only serve as part of the school’s beautification programme through enhancing green spaces, but also serve as a living classroom, teaching on the importance of trees in dealing with climate change.
Marking the International Women’s Day in collaboration with Umoja Secondary School and the immediate community wasn’t just a commemoration of the day but a way of imparting climate literacy.
