Our Mission
To contribute to the empowerment of rural women in sustainable environmental management and good land-use practices that are resilient to climate change, leading to food sovereignty, improved nutrition and stronger rural livelihoods.
Our Vision
A Zambia that empowers rural women through sound and just environmental management, sustainable food production and the protection of small-scale farmers’ rights.
Our Story.
Established in 2013, WEZ was initiated by rural women’s groups who recognised that women farmers must be at the centre of decisions about food, land, water, seeds and the environment. The organisation is registered under the Registrar of Societies and is based in Chongwe District, with work currently focused in Southern, Lusaka and Central Provinces.
Where it all began……..
WEZ grew from the lived realities of rural women who face unequal access to land, water, productive resources, markets and decision-making spaces. Across Zambia, women carry much of the responsibility for food production and family wellbeing, yet their knowledge and contribution are often overlooked.
Our work creates spaces where rural women can organise, learn, exchange knowledge and speak for themselves. Through agroecology, indigenous seed preservation, climate justice advocacy, clean energy, value addition and feminist leadership, WEZ supports women to strengthen their independence while protecting the environment for future generations.
Our activities are carried out with and through community volunteers, women farmers, youth, local leaders and grassroots partners. Together, they demonstrate practical, locally led solutions that respond to climate change, food insecurity, land inequality and environmental degradation.
WEZ Coordinator
“Women Environs in Zambia was born from the strength, wisdom and daily struggles of rural women. Every seed they save, every field they cultivate and every voice they raise is an act of hope for their families and for the future of our country. Our work is about ensuring that rural women are not seen only as beneficiaries, but as leaders, knowledge holders and decision-makers who have the power to transform food systems, protect the environment and build communities where no one is left behind.”
Watch Our Video on Land Study Circles
the women environs Way
We do it all to Care for the Enviroment & the Future
Education and Leadership
Education and leadership remain central to our work. We encourage girls’ education and support women to take up leadership roles in households, communities and local decision-making structures. We also promote diverse diets, and action against gender-based inequalities that affect women’s health and wellbeing.
Improved Livelihoods
WEZ also supports women to access markets, develop enterprises and add value to locally produced goods. Through training, practical learning and community-based initiatives, women are supported to turn their knowledge, crops and natural resources into sustainable livelihoods.
Advocacy
We focus on building women’s resilience through agroecological farming practices, diversified income opportunities and financial literacy. We advocate for women’s secure access to land, water and other productive resources, because land rights are essential for dignity, food production and long-term security.
Kasenga Women Build a Peanut Butter Enterprise
The Kasenga women are now building a small but growing enterprise around peanut butter production. By working together, they are able to turn locally grown groundnuts into a nutritious product that can be sold within their community and at wider markets. The group is gaining confidence in pricing, packaging, customer relations and saving, while creating an income source that strengthens both their households and their collective future.
“Before WEZ supported us, we mainly grew groundnuts for food at home. Through the training, we learnt how to process our groundnuts into peanut butter, package it well and sell it as a product. Today, the income we make helps us buy household needs, support our children and contribute to our savings groups. We have realised that the crops we grow can do more for us when we add value to them.”