Duond Mine Forum: A Growing Movement of Women Climate Champions in Siaya
What began as a local forum to connect grassroots women and duty bearers has evolved into a vital platform shaping Siaya County's climate justice agenda. The Duond Mine Forum, now in its second year, is proving that when women lead, climate responses are more inclusive, practical, and grounded in real experience.
Held on June 19–20, 2025, and hosted by Siaya Muungano Network under the Voices for Just Climate Action (VCA) project, this year’s forum brought together over 130 participants. Women presented a policy communiqué, showcased community innovations, and openly challenged laws they felt excluded them, such as the ban on seed sharing. “Sharing seeds is how we survive,” said one participant, capturing the spirit of resistance and innovation that defines the forum.
Before Duond Mine, many women said they had never been part of policy discussions or climate planning. Now, things are slowly changing. At this year’s forum, women spoke directly to county leaders and asked to be included in programs like FLLoCA. They also raised concerns about land rights, water access, and climate financing.
Some women who attended the first Duond Mine Forum are now speaking up in public meetings and community barazas. They are also helping others understand climate policies. One woman from Ugenya said, “I used to think this work was only for officials. Now I know I can speak too.”
At the forum, participants also exhibited their climate-friendly innovations: organic seeds, herbal pest solutions, and handmade crafts. These ideas showed that women have the knowledge; they just need space to share and support to scale.
County leaders who attended the forum shared their commitment to supporting women’s participation in climate action. Prof. Jackline Oduol, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Water, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, encouraged women to take up leadership roles and not wait to be invited.
“Let us begin to take our place at the decision-making tables. Climate action must include the voices of women who are most affected,” she said, promising to strengthen the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program so that it reaches more women across all wards in Siaya County.
Civil society groups present, including KEFEADO and others, pledged to continue supporting women through follow-up training, policy engagement, and sharing useful information.
Duond Mine Forum is helping shift women from the sidelines to the centre of climate conversations in Siaya. It is still growing, but it has already started changing how women see themselves and how decision-makers listen.
