Women leading the green revolution
What we are all about
At Green Women Alliance (GWA), we believe that women are the driving force behind sustainable development and the architects of a greener future. Our philosophy is built on the understanding that environmental conservation and women’s empowerment are deeply interconnected—when women are equipped with the right tools, knowledge, and opportunities, they become catalysts for meaningful change in the fight against climate change.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
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Green Women Alliance empowers rural women and farmers by creating sustainable income opportunities through briquette production and biomass supply chains. By turning agricultural waste into eco-friendly fuel, we provide alternative livelihoods that help families escape poverty and build financial resilience.
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Traditional charcoal and firewood use contribute to indoor air pollution, causing respiratory diseases. Our briquettes provide a cleaner cooking alternative, improving household air quality and reducing health risks for women and children.
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Women are at the center of our work. By training and mobilizing women in briquette production and tree planting, we ensure they have economic independence and leadership roles in environmental conservation efforts.
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Our briquettes made from biomass waste provide a sustainable, cost-effective, and clean alternative to charcoal and firewood, reducing dependence on unsustainable energy sources while making cooking fuel more accessible to low-income households.
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By creating a market for biomass waste and supporting rural women in entrepreneurship, we are fostering green jobs and sustainable economic growth within communities, ensuring that environmental action also leads to economic empowerment.
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Deforestation and wetland destruction have worsened climate change effects like floods and droughts. Our reforestation initiatives, wetland preservation efforts, and promotion of clean energy alternatives directly contribute to mitigating climate change and protecting ecosystems.
why green women alliance
In 2024, Uganda experienced devastating floods, with Tororo District’s rural communities among the hardest hit. Heavy rains destroyed crops, forcing farmers to uproot cassava and potatoes before maturity, leading to food insecurity and financial hardship as prices dropped to as low as UGX 200. Homes collapsed under torrential rains and strong winds, displacing families and worsening poverty. At the heart of this crisis is deforestation—the unchecked cutting of trees for charcoal and firewood has stripped the land of its natural protection, causing longer droughts, drying water sources, and unpredictable weather patterns. Wetland encroachment has further worsened the situation, leaving communities vulnerable to extreme climate conditions.
Green Women Alliance is taking action to reverse environmental destruction and restore livelihoods. Through sustainable briquette production, we provide an alternative to charcoal and firewood, reducing deforestation while creating economic opportunities for women and farmers. We are also leading reforestation efforts, with members committed to planting at least five trees per month to restore lost forest cover and protect against harsh climate conditions. Our wetland preservation initiatives further safeguard ecosystems vital for rainfall and flood control. By combining climate action with economic empowerment, Green Women Alliance is building a future where communities can thrive without compromising the environment.
In many communities across Tororo and Uganda at large, charcoal and firewood remain the primary sources of cooking fuel, putting millions of lives at risk. When burned indoors, these traditional fuels release thick smoke and toxic pollutants, creating an invisible but deadly health crisis. Women and children, who spend the most time near cooking fires, are the most affected, inhaling harmful substances such as carbon monoxide and fine particulate matter that penetrate deep into their lungs. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that household air pollution from traditional cooking methods is responsible for nearly 4 million premature deaths annually, with women and young children bearing the heaviest burden. Many suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, stroke, and severe respiratory infections like pneumonia, conditions that worsen over time and lead to life-threatening complications. In these communities, where healthcare access is already limited, prolonged exposure to these toxic fumes weakens immune systems, exacerbates pre-existing conditions, and shortens life expectancy. Without urgent intervention, household air pollution will continue to take a devastating toll on the health and well-being of vulnerable families in Uganda.
Deforestation in Tororo: A Growing Environmental Crisis
Tororo District is facing a severe environmental crisis due to rapid deforestation, which is accelerating climate change, depleting biodiversity, and threatening livelihoods. Forests, which once acted as natural carbon sinks and sources of rainfall regulation, are disappearing at an alarming rate. In 2020, Tororo had just 34 hectares of natural forest, covering less than 0.1% of its total land area—a clear indication of how little forest cover remains. By 2023, the district had already lost another hectare of natural forest, resulting in the release of 20.3 kilotons of CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere.
This relentless deforestation is driven by the high demand for firewood and charcoal, agricultural expansion, and unregulated tree-cutting, leaving the land exposed to soil erosion, prolonged droughts, and unpredictable weather patterns. Without urgent intervention, Tororo faces an even more devastating future, where climate change worsens food insecurity, water scarcity, and extreme weather events. Green Women Alliance is taking a stand by promoting large-scale tree planting, wetland restoration, and sustainable energy alternatives to reduce dependence on firewood and charcoal. The time to act is now—before the last trees disappear, and the damage becomes irreversible.
What We Do
Our work is driven by the understanding that a sustainable environment and gender empowerment go hand in hand. When women have access to knowledge, resources, and support, they become powerful advocates for positive change. GWA envisions a world where women are not just beneficiaries of environmental programs but leaders in climate resilience, green entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. We are inspired by the belief that every action, no matter how small, contributes to a larger global impact. Whether it is through promoting cleaner cooking solutions, planting trees, or advocating for sustainable policies, GWA remains dedicated to building a future where communities thrive in harmony with nature. Through collaboration, innovation, and unwavering commitment, we stand as a beacon of hope for a greener, healthier, and more equitable world.
Our Stories: Voices of Change
Growing up in a village reliant on firewood and charcoal, I witnessed firsthand the devastating impacts on our environment, women’s health, and their time. This personal experience fueled the creation of the Green Women Alliance (GWA). GWA empowers women with sustainable cooking alternatives like briquettes, promotes reforestation, and provides income-generating opportunities, breaking the cycle of firewood dependence. GWA is more than an organization; it’s a movement promising a greener, healthier future for generations to come.
Charity Abbo
“Our environment’s fate rests on our shoulders. Rising temperatures and prolonged droughts, exacerbated by deforestation for fuel, are evident. 2025’s heat and 2024’s floods, which devastated crops and livelihoods, are stark warnings. Women, disproportionately affected yet powerful agents of change, must lead climate action. Green Women Alliance (GWA) equips them with sustainable solutions like briquettes and tree planting. This fight for the environment is a fight for survival, and empowering women creates stronger, more resilient communities.”
Samuel Onyang J
Women Leading the Green Revolution; One Briquette at a Time! One Tree at a Time.
Welcome to the Green Women Alliance (GWA), where we empower women as key agents of environmental conservation and climate resilience. Through renewable energy solutions, afforestation, and green entrepreneurship, we are transforming communities and protecting the planet.
Briquette Making
We promote the adoption of briquettes as a sustainable alternative to firewood and charcoal, reducing deforestation and improving indoor air quality. By training women in briquette production, we not only provide cleaner cooking solutions but also create income-generating opportunities for communities.
Tree Planting
We encourage tree planting to restore degraded ecosystems and combat climate change. Join our tree-planting drives and be part of the movement! We work with local communities, schools, and organizations to establish tree nurseries, ensuring a steady supply of seedlings for reforestation projects.
Women Skilling
We train women in climate smart businesses, equipping them with skills to generate income while protecting the environment. Our programs focus on briquette production and income saving for a sustainable growth financially and, eco friendly crafts and products made from recycled materials.