WOMEN AND HONEY IN CHEPLASKEI
According to the Kalenjin culture, it is considered taboo for women to install, check and even maintain beehives. There are no explanations why this is so, fear is what keeps women from beekeeping. This fear and taboo has been passed from one generation to another. With the majority of the participants under the SAPS project, this fear and taboo had to be confronted.
Having seen women from other communities keeping bees and after learning more about the successes and profits of beekeeping, the women in Cheplaskei ward in Moiben sub-county ventured into beekeeping.
Cheplaskei women in their community apiary/Cheplaskei women being trained and participating in beehive assembling
Through EPTF’s advocacy and capacity-building forums that challenged the cultural barriers that obstruct women and youth from the utilization of available resources coupled with Business Development Support Services, the women formed a group and currently own an apiary. They constructed and installed the hives in the apiary.
Women from Cheplaskei in Moiben participating in setup of the apiary
The group also signed an MOU with Bee Home limited. Bee Home limited makes and sells bee hives at affordable prices and is also involved in beehive inspection, honey harvesting, and buying honey from identified farmers. Out of this initiative, some women have started buying and installing the bee hives by and for themselves.