Voluntary Fund for Decade for Women Assists Green Belt Movement in Kenya

Over 90% of Kenya's population live in rural areas, and about 90% of them get 85% of their energy needs from wood. Kenya's forest reserves have recently been reduced substantially. In an effort to avert desertification process and provide most of the rural energy needs, among others, the National Council of Women launched a community tree-planting project known as the Green Belt Movement in 1977. The Voluntary Fund for the UN Decade for Women has so far contributed $102,819 for Kenya's Green Belt Movement.
Dr. Wangari Maathai, founder of the Movement, handing over a plant for distribution. 1983.