From Root to Tree: Wangari Maathai's Green Belt Movement—The Grassroots Approach to Addressing Human Rights Violations

Abstract

The Green Belt Movement's success in fighting for environmental and social issues, often prior to these issues becoming mainstream, will hopefully serve as a model for the next generation in addressing human rights violations, including environmental wrongs. Organizations should be proactive in the fight against human rights violations and need not be concentrated on a singular social issue. Human rights violations result from a combination of multiple social issues. The Green Belt Movement gives people a strong support network, educating and empowering them to provide their own resources and be responsible for their own physical and environmental well-being. As a result, the movement has strengthened in both numbers and influence to demand good governance and care for the environment, with its power spreading beyond the borders of Kenya. At the grassroots level, protecting the environment is a basic step that all can benefit from, and which can prevent the need for future environmental claims.