Norwegian Church Aid in Kenya and other civil society organizations have over the last two years engaged in advocacy as a key strategy to transform society, eradicate poverty and empower the poor.
Integrated approach
In addition to the long term development goals of protecting and supporting women and girls from harmful traditional practices and HIV/Aids and accompanying the poor and vulnerable who have been affected by the impacts of climate change amongst other issues, NCA has seen the need to challenge those in power.
Governance is at the heart of NCA Kenya’s advocacy strategy. It is leadership that has to be challenged to ensure that it delivers on the rights of the people. And in many cases, leadership and governance have been responsible for negligence or gross violation of the rights of the people.
In this endeavor, empowering people to speak out for their own rights is crucial. NCA Kenya has worked mainly with youth and community groups in its climate advocacy and campaign. Over the last two years youth have become the main carriers of the voice for climate justice. The efforts to integrate gender justice, economic justice and other specific issues at the local, national and international arena have also been initiated by young women and men.
Youth Discuss issues with Mutava Musyimi, Member of Parliament.
Youth creativity
Using creativity in the arts, media and culture, youth have spoken out loud and clear. The youth network in Kenya organized several engagements with members of parliament, government officials, religious leaders and others in society to speak out for justice. Top on the agenda for 2009 was the climate justice advocacy campaign that was under the Kenya Climate Change Working Group (KCCWG). Through this network, Kenyan youth and civil society organizations made a strong influence on the national climate negotiations prior to the Copenhagen conference and also during the conference. With various celebrities and media personalities, songs, dances and other forms of art were used to mobilize students in universities to join in the campaign.
Isaiah Kipyegon Toroitich (to the left) together with young people attending the National Climate Conference 2008.
Strength of civil society
So far civil society organizations working on climate change have been mobilized into one strong network. The youth on the other hand have formed a strong movement that is partnering with other regional and global movements such as Change Maker International. This has achieved more synergy amongst people fighting for justice and the government of Kenya and members of parliament and other leaders are keenly listening and responding to the demands of the youth and also civil society.
Through this effort, a Bill on climate change is being made to be tabled in parliament, the government is reviewing its policy on climate change, and peoples movements are making more impact in their own communities and nationally. Ultimately integrating development work and emergency work with advocacy has provided an avenue for the people of Kenya to achieve more sustainability in their livelihoods and to demand their rights from the government.