Natural Resources

Oxfam’s work in the natural resources sector is a three-programme approach that seeks to; promote women, men and youth in poor and marginalized communities secure their rights to access, control and own their land.  Equally, the programme seeks to empower communities to make strategic decisions relating to their land and natural resources, monetarily and non-monetarily benefit from all forms of exploits derived from their land. In addition, Oxfam is working closely with policy makers to effectively implement accountable and transparent laws, policies and regulations. 

What does success look like?

1. Poor and marginalised communities increasingly have access to all contracts for natural resources in Kenya and are holding governments and investors to account by 2030. 

2. Women in Kenya report an increase in knowledge relating to their right to own, access and have control over natural resources by 2030. 

3. Women empowered and meaningfully influence and participate in decision-making about natural resources by 2030. 

Transparency International- Kenya (TI), Association of Women in Mining and Extractives in Kenya (AWEIK), Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO) and the Institute of Public Finance Kenya (IPFK) are working on the ASM gemstones and gold mining value chains in Kenya to ensure women from grassroots communities get a fair share of the revenues from the sector. Under the FAIR4ALL PVP grant by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they are jointly working with ASM women miners in Turkana, Taita-Taveta and Kwale counties to ensure the mine to market journey for these women results in a fair share of what they mine. In Nakalale village of Turkana County, we tell the story of women who are daring cultural hurdles and economic limitations by mining gold to earn a living. In the male dominated sector like many others, the women are a definition of true resilience and determination to succeed where hope seems distant.