The R2SAYNO capacity building training conducted on October, 2024, concluded on a high note with a powerful new tool designed to help women take charge of their rights. Hosted by Samburu Women Trust (SWT) in partnership with Womin African Alliance, this training drawn women from communities experiencing challenges due to mining, extractive industries, and large-scale land projects. The goal was to equip these women with a deep understanding of their rights and the tools needed to protect their land and resources.
Throughout the training, women shared the serious impacts these projects have on their lives and communities. Women from Lamu spoke out against the negative effects of the LAPSSET project on their land and livelihoods. Participants from Marsabit and Isiolo expressed concerns about the health impacts of the Lake Turkana Wind Power project, as well as land grabbing issues connected to the government. Women from forest-dwelling communities in Elgeyo Marakwet also shared stories of forceful evictions from their ancestral lands, highlighting the challenges they face in maintaining their homes and heritage.
A major achievement of this training was the launch of an information sheet—a straightforward guide to R2SAYNO principles, available in Swahili, English, and several local languages. This resource covers essential ideas about community rights and helps women decide whether to say “yes” or “no” to projects impacting their areas. By offering guidance in languages that feel familiar, the information sheet makes these rights easier to understand and advocate for within their communities
