In the sun-drenched landscapes of Samburu, a group of women rise before dawn to tend their cows and prepare milk that serves a purpose far beyond their households. Known as the “Milk Mamas” of the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, they have transformed dairy production into a lifeline for both people and wildlife. Their cooperative supplies milk to orphaned elephants, ensuring the survival of these young animals while generating sustainable income for the women and their families. Their work is a living testament to how community-led initiatives can merge environmental stewardship with economic empowerment, embodying Sustainable Development Goal 13 on climate action and SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production.
A few hours’ journey away, the women of Umoja Village have challenged entrenched patriarchal norms to create a safe, empowering community for survivors of gender-based violence. Through a matriarchal structure, they operate a cultural tourism center with accommodation and immersive cultural programs, enabling women to generate sustainable income while preserving and sharing their heritage. Their initiative exemplifies SDG 5 on gender equality and SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities, showing how locally-led interventions can foster resilience, safety, and economic empowerment. Visitors to Umoja engage with authentic Samburu culture while directly supporting women’s leadership, social protection, and community cohesion.
Farther north in Marsabit, Naomi has opened her home to travelers, offering a homestay that bridges cultural exchange and economic resilience. By welcoming visitors into everyday life in North Horr, she generates stable income that strengthens her household and community. Her model illustrates how small-scale, locally governed tourism contributes to SDG 12 while reinforcing sustainable livelihoods, community agency, and inclusive economic growth.
Together, the Reteti Milk Mamas, Umoja Village leaders, and Naomi illuminate the transformative potential of regenerative tourism when women’s leadership is recognized and amplified. Halisi celebrates and supports these models, showcasing how tourism can advance education, conservation, gender equity, and sustainable livelihoods. By centering local knowledge, leadership, and entrepreneurship, regenerative tourism transcends conventional economic activity, strengthening communities, conserving ecosystems, and fostering resilience. These examples offer a roadmap for how tourism, guided by women’s vision and agency, can create thriving, inclusive, and empowered communities while advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals.
