Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre has commended the Ford Foundation for decades of support that have strengthened the voices of Niger Delta women in the fight for environmental justice.
The commendation was made on Tuesday, November 25, during a solidarity rally in Port Harcourt to mark the Ford Foundation’s 65th anniversary of impactful work in West Africa.
Hundreds of women, youths and community stakeholders marched with placards bearing messages such as: “65 Years of Justice and Solidarity,” “Women Rising for Resource Justice,” “A Future Free from Gas Flaring,” and “You Cannot Govern Nature Justly While Governing Women Unjustly.”
Speaking during the rally, Kebetkache Programme Officer, Idongesit Smart, said the Foundation’s long-standing support has enabled women across Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta to demand accountability and resist environmental injustices.
“Through the Ford Foundation, many women have been empowered to speak up for their environment, ask for justice, and understand the root causes of the pollution affecting their communities. Over the years, our environment has been damaged, but the Foundation has helped amplify women’s voices for a better future.
“We came to know that it is because of the environment that have been polluted.
Our air has been polluted.
Our water has been polluted.
Our soil has been polluted.
We were taking it from our neighbor.
We were taking it from our mother in law.
We were taking it from our ancestors.
The Forth Foundation made us to understand that it is because of our environment,” she said.
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Beneficiaries of Kebetkache-led projects funded by the Foundation also shared testimonies, noting that the capacity-building programmes have enlightened them about environmental pollution and strengthened their advocacy skills.
They expressed gratitude to the Ford Foundation for supporting leadership development, community awareness and women-led environmental campaigns across the region.
Participants ended the rally with solidarity songs and prayers for continued partnership and greater impact in the years ahead.
