NOMADIC WOMEN FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT- NOWSUD

NOMADIC WOMEN FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT- NOWSUD was formed in 2004 as a CBO with a primary aim of coordinating activities and building the capacity of women groups in Isiolo County. In 2007 NOWSUD was registered as an NGO {Reg. No. OP.218/051/2006/0513/4496}. The overall goal was to facilitate vulnerable women access basic services as well as build women-headed households resilience in the face of devastating climate change related loss of livelihoods and social-cultural biases which has been slow to place women at the centre of societal development processes.

Due to the patriarchal nature of local communities in Northern Kenya and a persistent retrogressive cultural lifestyle, women & youth including the girl child are the most disadvantaged. Illiteracy, unemployment and lack of property ownership make it almost impossible for most women to enjoy their most basic human rights as enshrined in the constitution of Kenya. Over the years, NOWSUD has come to realise that there is a very high correlation between poverty among women and the high number of youth without proper education and or engaging in anti-social behaviours. This attests to the fact that failure to support women with sustainable livelihood and protective and enabling environment will not only negatively affect their individual rights but also destroy the most reliable platform for accessing the family unit to a life of dignity and prosperity.

Geographic Area of Coverage

NOWSUD targets vulnerable population in Northern Kenya Isiolo, Samburu,Marsabit Counties with future plans of extending to other neighbouring counties with similar challenges particularly Meru, Lakipia and Turkana counties.