Challenging Patriarchal Structures: Wangari Maathai and the Green Belt Movement in Kenya
http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/4066816.pdf
Author Archives: sevans8
A Civic and Environmental Organization
The Green Belt Movement – founded by Professor Wangari Maathai in 1977 as a response to the needs of women in Kenya whose streams were drying up, food supply was incredibly low, and their walk to get firewood was becoming increasing in distance. GBM became an organization that taught the benefits of working together to better communities by building trees, storing rainwater, and gaining better access to food and firewood.
However, more than providing necessary essentials for women and families, Maathai saw that the GBM could do more to raise awareness to the issues of disempowerment, disenfranchisement, and loss of traditional values revolved around working together unselfishly through trust and accountability. Because of this, GBM instituted seminars called “Community Empowerment and Education” to encourage individuals to acknowledge the role one plays in politics, economics, and environmental issues. CEE provided education on both civic and environmental problems.
Wangari Maathai’s Leadership
Just through looking at Wangari’s positions of leadership, one can see the respect and power that she held in Kenya, and around the world. Her efforts were not solely with the GBM but in many aspects of African life, especially to ensure that women knew they had an important role in decision making in their communities.
“Maathai, through the GBM, has shown that leadership, combined with knowledge and experience, creates a powerful force for change. Maathai has proven that it is alright to be ‘too educated, too strong, too successful, too stubborn and too hard to control’ by challenging prevailing wisdom and traditional approaches.”
Wangari Maathai: The Creator
Professor Wangari Maathai is an outstanding woman. She was the first woman to receive a doctorate degree in East and Central Africa (1971), to become chair of the Department of Veterinary Anatomy (1976), an associate professor (1977), and the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize (2004).
Among some of her other achievements and admirable roles:
Founder and Coordinator of the Green Belt Movement (1977-2002)
Chair of the Board, GBM (2002-2011)
UN Messenger of Peace (2009-2011)
Co-Chair, Congo Basin Forest Fund (2007-2011)
Goodwill Ambassador, Congo Basin Forest Initiative (2005-2011)
Presiding Officer, Economic Social and Cultural Council of the African Union (2005-2007)
Founding Chair, GBM International (2005)
Assistant Minister, Environment, Republic of Kenya (2003-2005)
Member of Parliament, Tetu Constituency, Republic of Kenya (2002-2007)
Founding member, GROOTS International (1985)
Director, Kenya Red Cross (1973-1980)