Small livestock plays a very important economic, social and cultural role for rural households as they assist to improve household food security, income generation and help in alleviating poverty among rural people especially women and children headed households.

The story of a 35 years old single mother of seven, one of the 20 goat beneficiaries  Ms. Nguekuru Tjondu, from Okovingava village, Opuwo is a clear indication of the women's significant role and contribution to economic and social development in society. 

Ms. Tjondu says that livestock farming is usually considered to be only for males. She says it was never easy to come to a decision to apply for this goat scheme. This is because the community/region ways of life where she resides are highly guided by cultural norms which normally limit women from participation in activities such as leadership, decision-making processes, later on accessing such schemes.

But with a ceaseless zeal and ignoring all the discouragements she got from her fellow community members, Ms. Tjondu was determined to apply and was happy to be one of the goat beneficiaries. “With the 10 goats that I received from the NILALEG project; I can support my children who solely depend on me,” said Nguekuru.

Gender equality and women empowerment remain crucial for the NILALEG Project as evidenced in all its Project interventions.
The Project continues to educate and create awareness to the community members on why women need to take active roles in tackling the climate crisis as a way to  #BreaktheBias of all forms of gender inequalities and stereotypes. This is with the intention of giving women the space they deserve in participating in economic and social development.

Speaking to a representative from the Kunene Landscape Consortia responsible for overseeing the execution of activities of the Projects Component 2, Mr. Kapi from IRDNC indicated that there was an inclusive criterion followed for community members to be part of the beneficiaries.

It is believed that this initiative will play a critical role in improving the livelihoods of many families, help alleviate poverty and assist in meeting the Sustainable Development Goal (5) “achieving gender equality and women empowerment”. This initiative is in line with the NILALEG Projects output 2.5 which aims at providing extension support to promote agroforestry and sustainable crop/rangeland management, across at least 15,000ha