Page 17 - GESI Framework

Gender Equality and social inclusion framework

Asia Namusoke: Making a difference for her Ugandan community
and the climate

Asia Namusoke at work on her farm in Kampala, Uganda. ©PINA
The Ugandan village of Ndejje, north of Kampala, is poor, To address challenges faced by women and others,
has many people living with HIV/AIDS, and lacks the Namusoke explains, “I set up a demonstration income-
resources for climate-smart agriculture to sustain livelihoods generating and environment-friendly project comprising
and protect the environment. urban vegetables, rabbit-rearing, beekeeping, a waste
recycling center, and a black soldier fly rearing operation
Asia Mbajja Namusoke aims to change that.⁵⁸ for alternative animal protein and high-value crop
fertilizer.” The larvae of black soldier fly insects can
With support from CIWA, the Nile Basin Discourse convert organic waste into high-quality nutrients for pet
trained Namusoke and other women as Climate Change food, fish, and poultry feed and even soil fertilizer.
Resilience Champions two years ago. She has put her
knowledge to good use ever since, developing programs Twenty-eight families have now created their own
to inspire and provide a lifeline to others in Ndejje and vegetable gardens, 14 families are rearing rabbits, 11 are
beyond. growing maggots, and 10 have set up beehive apiaries in
their yards.
For example, the training taught her the importance of
planting trees, flowers, spices, and vegetables that are The beauty of Namusoke’s projects is that they have a
climate resilient. range of benefits from food security to climate change
mitigation and better health outcomes.
“Light came into darkness” during the training, Namusoke
says. “I realized that there were small actions one could do
to make a difference.”
“The training to work with communities to promote
sustainable agriculture was really inspiring,” says “We work under the principle that the
Namusoke, who also is founder of the People in Need Sustainable Development Goals are
Agency (PINA), a non-profit organization that helps integrated—they recognize that action
HIV-positive women and youth play a key role in
improving their lives and communities. in one area will affect outcomes in
others, and that development must
Her projects are especially empowering to women in her balance social, economic, and
community, many of whom have faced gender-based
violence (GBV) and are HIV-positive. environmental sustainability.”

⁶ https://www.ciwaprogram.org/blog/green-homes-for-sustainable-development-creating-climate-change-resilience-in-slum-communities-of-
kampala-uganda/
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