Salome Owuonda (second right) alongside other delegates during the COP 29 meeting in Baku,Azerbaijan /Photo courtesy/
Called to pursue Gender and Development studies in Karatina University in 2017, Salome was at first reluctant about it. She had no idea that this was the onset of a different path and it was about to shape her future.
Now a shining star, Salome was born and brought up in Kasem in Nyatike,Migori,a place well known for its unreliable rainfall patterns,a condition that made Salome experience adverse weather conditions since childhood.
She was propelled by her community struggles to sensitize them on environmental justice.
” I knew that if I wanted to see change or justice,I had to raise my voice because silence was never an option.” Sally said
Initially,Sally did not take interest in gender studies but after attending her first lecture at Karatina University,her passion for the course grew. She admitted that attending that first lecture made her realize that she was on the right path.
Salome’s childhood experience ignited her with a conviction to fight for women and marginalized communities who face the greatest climate vulnerabilities
“I want to ensure that no woman in rural areas in Kenya ever has to choose between feeding her children and surviving the impacts of climate change.” She said
Since then, she has been in the front line to sensitize people on environmental awareness. Her entire purpose and journey has been heightened by being one of the attendants of Conference of Parties(COP) starting from COP 25 which took place in Madrid, Spain in December, 2019 where she was advocating for the marginalized and voiceless groups in the society. She was also a part of COP 27 and 28 ,where she exclusively fought for the rights of women in marginalized regions. A remarkable impression that she made at COP 28 was bringing to the table the idea of climate-smart programs to build communities resilience through her organization,African Center for Sustainable Development (ACSD)
At COP 29 which took place in Baku,Azerbaijan November,2024 Sally was one of the youngest delegates. She represented Africa in discussions on climate finance and adaptation and her major role involved negotiating climate policies that reflect the realities of marginalized communities.
Other than the international ventures,Sally has been taking part in different forums and partnerships in Kenya. Some of the reputable organizations she has partnered with include Arid Land Information Network (ALIN) on the National Determined Contribution (NDC). She was also part of the TWAK forum which took place December last with an aim of promoting sustainable Socio-economic development around Lake Victoria region
She has also been spotted on several occasions taking part in tree planting in different areas,not forgetting her village as charity begins from home.
“The continental climate conversations must be localized because it is the local communities that bear the brunt burden of climate change.” Sally emphasized during her host in ‘Mine Wach’ program on Ramogi Tv
Her journey towards sustaining an impact on environmental challenges and connecting them to the global trends in gender-based climate advocacy is truly an effort to acknowledge as a country which has been preaching about the same
Leave a comment