Step-by-step explanation:
The Green Belt Movement was founded by Professor Wangari Maathai in Kenya in 1977 to address deforestation and promote environmental conservation while also empowering women through economic opportunities. The movement's main activity was tree planting, which helped to restore degraded land, prevent soil erosion, and provide fuel and building materials for local communities.
The tree planting activities of the Green Belt Movement became a powerful symbol of environmental and social activism, as well as a tool for building community and solidarity. By mobilizing women to plant trees, the movement challenged traditional gender roles and empowered women to take control of their lives and their environment. The movement also raised awareness about environmental issues and the importance of sustainable development, which helped to create a broader sense of social and political consciousness among the Kenyan population.
As the Green Belt Movement grew in popularity and influence, it became increasingly involved in political activism and advocacy for human rights and democracy. In the 1980s and 1990s, Kenya was under the authoritarian rule of President Daniel arap Moi, who suppressed political opposition and civil society organizations. The Green Belt Movement was one of the few groups that continued to challenge the government's policies and practices, despite facing intimidation and harassment.
The symbolic "tree of peace" became a powerful image for the Green Belt Movement and for the broader struggle for democracy and human rights in Kenya. The tree represented the idea that environmental sustainability, social justice, and political freedom were all interconnected and that by working together, Kenyans could build a better future for themselves and their country. The "tree of peace" was also a metaphor for the idea that by nurturing and protecting the natural environment, people could find harmony and balance in their lives and their communities.
The efforts of the Green Belt Movement, along with other civil society organizations and opposition parties, eventually led to the democratization of Kenya in the early 2000s. President Moi was replaced by Mwai Kibaki, who implemented a range of democratic reforms, including a new constitution, the establishment of an independent judiciary, and greater press freedom. The "tree of peace" continues to be a symbol of hope and renewal for the people of Kenya, reminding them of the power of collective action and the importance of protecting the environment and promoting social justice.