This International Women's Day, working animal charity Brooke is spotlighting a woman transforming donkey welfare within her community in Kenya. 

Margaret, the chairwoman of the Naserian Women’s Donkey Welfare Group from Maasai Mara, is promoting the wellbeing of donkeys, who are vital to the local economy.  

In a region where women often bear the burden of gathering water, firewood and taking food to market, donkeys are essential in their daily tasks and relied upon heavily.  

Margaret said: “My donkey is my life and my life is my donkey.

“I live because of him. 

“The thing that brought us together as a group was the donkey’s welfare...we saw it would be best for us to come together as women and fight for our donkeys.” 

Brooke, an international charity dedicating to improving the lives of horses, donkeys and mules, has given Margaret crucial knowledge in donkey care, ensuring they receive proper nutrition and attention. 

This expertise has not only improved the welfare of these animals, but empowered women in Margaret’s community and helped alleviate them from poverty. 

Chris Wainwright, CEO of Brooke, said: “Women like Margaret remind us of the importance of compassion and commitment in creating meaningful change for hardworking horses, donkeys and mules around the world. 

“Working animals do so much for the people that rely on them, helping to put food on the table and send their children to school. 

“Margaret’s story is a testament to the strength of community and the significant influence one passionate person can have.” 

Margaret's group are also being affected by the devastating donkey skin trade, where donkeys are being slaughtered to create a popular gelatine called eijao.   

The group lost an estimated two hundred donkeys in 2015 who they depended on to support their livelihoods, likely killed for their skin. 

Almost six million donkeys are murdered each year in China, Africa and South America to meet growing demand for ejiao, a Chinese herbal remedy.  

The trade is having a catastrophic effect on the welfare of donkeys and the people who rely on them for their livelihoods, with donkeys being stolen and smuggled across borders. 

The Naserian Women’s group are advocating to protect donkeys from the trade and encouraging other community members to take action against smuggling.  

Brooke is calling for a global ban on the skin trade, influencing a landmark, continent-wide ban on donkey slaughter and export across Africa in 2024.   

Learn more about woman like Margaret and the charity’s work on Brooke’s website.