About Us
The African Indigenous Women’s Organization is a continental-wide Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), whose members are composed of African Indigenous Women representing NGOs, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and other grass-root organizations (who undertake social and economic activities for their own gain). We work towards the promotion of women’s and indigenous peoples rights which include social, economic and political empowerment in Africa.
African Indigenous Women’s Organization (AIWO) was formed on 24th April, 1998 in Agadir, Morocco. This was after the first African Indigenous Conference held on 20th to 24th April the same year. The conference was initiated by Netherlands Center for Indigenous Peoples and hosted by Tamaynut of Morocco. The theme of the conference was to “Clarify the role of Indigenous Women in Africa as supporters of the Community and to strengthen the Indigenous Cultures and traditions persistence”.
Our Activities
AIWO works directly with indigenous groups from rural areas to address issues in the following areas:
Our Major Programs
- Environmental conservation
- Reproductive health, including HIV/AIDS
- women’s rights and gender mainstreaming
- Education
- Women Economic empowerment
- Influence policy change
- Cultural preservation
Our Vision
Improvement and empowerment of African Indigenous Women’s livelihood
Our Mission
Enhancing and strengthening the capacity of African Indigenous Women through participation, social, economic, political empowerment as well as protection of their rights
Highlights
Recognition Certificate Award
Certificate of Recognition Awarded by United Nations Human Rights Prize
Participation at COP 28
Indigenous women from Africa attended COP 28 and they were able to attend other meetings organized by Indigenous women from other socialcultural regions
Participation at COP 27
Indigenous Women from different regions in Africa share their Climate change impact stories
What people say?
World Enviroment Day 2024
The World Environment Day 2024 celebration at Naramam Center in West Pokot had a profound impact on both the local community and the environment. The event catalyzed several key changes:
Increased Environmental Awareness: The event significantly raised awareness about environmental issues among the local population. Educational workshops and discussions highlighted the importance of ecosystem restoration, inspiring participants to adopt more sustainable practices in their daily lives.
Community Engagement: The celebration fostered a strong sense of community, with people from various backgrounds coming together to work toward a common goal. This unity strengthened local initiatives aimed at environmental conservation and empowered the community to take collective action.
Tree Planting and Ecosystem Restoration: One of the immediate tangible impacts was the successful planting of numerous trees, contributing to reforestation efforts in the area. This activity not only helped restore degraded lands but also enhanced biodiversity, offering long-term benefits to the local ecosystem.
Promotion of Indigenous Knowledge: The event underscored the value of Indigenous knowledge in environmental conservation. By incorporating traditional practices into modern conservation strategies, the community is better equipped to manage natural resources sustainably.
Youth Empowerment: The focus on involving youth in environmental leadership was a significant outcome. The event inspired many young people to take active roles in environmental stewardship, ensuring the continuity of conservation efforts.
