The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN has awarded West Pokot nominated MCA Mary Mariach for her role in fighting for women land rights.
Mariach, who is also a member of the water, environment, natural resources and disaster committee at the county assembly, stands out as a woman who has dedicated her life to bringing about a positive change for her people and women at large.
She comes from a region that is known for conflict and cultural practices that disadvantage women's socioeconomic empowerment.
Mariach was awarded during the UN Day for her contribution towards empowerment of women through access, use and ownership of land and natural resources for food systems transformation.
According to a statement from FAO, she has achieved great milestones in areas of peace, agricultural production, access to and ownership of land and is a model of the girl child in the region.
During FAO Land Governance project, Mariach became a household name in creating awareness on land access and ownership (this was the main goal for the project) for women in the areas.
“Her efforts have resulted in a significant increase in the number of women accessing and owning land from their husbands for agricultural production,” FAO said.
Mariach is an agricultural entrepreneur engaged in livestock and crop production on a piece of land she inherited from her late husband.
She was among speakers during the International Women’s Day UN celebrations in 2022 in Brussels, where she shared her experience as a women empowerment crusader through her work in Kenya.
Mariach has worked with other UN agencies like UN Women.
She is also a regional chairperson for Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation where she further creates awareness on women rights.