How Beekeeping is Transforming Women’s Lives in Rural Eritrea

By Hadnet Keleta

Introduction

In the quiet landscapes of rural Eritrea, a transformation is unfolding, one not announced by grand speeches or heavy machinery, but by the steady hum of bees and the confidence of women reclaiming both tradition and livelihood. Where opportunity has long been scarce and development efforts often short-lived, a simple, time-honored practice is proving unexpectedly powerful. Beekeeping, rooted in indigenous knowledge and sustained by community effort, is becoming a tool of economic resilience, environmental renewal, and social change. What began as a modest pilot has evolved into a nationwide initiative that is reshaping how rural development is imagined: not as charity delivered from above, but as capability built from within. At the heart of this effort are Eritrean women, turning earth, water, and patience into nourishment, income, and dignity.

Honey and Hope: How Eritrean Women Are Rebuilding Rural Livelihoods

A nationwide effort to train rural women in traditional beekeeping is gaining momentum across Eritrea, following a successful collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW). What began as a small‑scale pilot project has grown into one of the most impactful rural development initiatives in recent years, improving household nutrition and creating new income opportunities for women in remote communities.

According to Ms. Alem Belay, head of NUEW in the Central Region, the project was designed to empower women by equipping them with practical skills in traditional bee farming. The training begins with instruction on how to construct the Gablawi Qofo (ጋብላዊ ቆፎ), a traditional bee pond used to attract and house bee colonies. Women learn to build the ponds using materials readily available in their surroundings, including bamboo, a special type of soil known locally as Mruts Hamed (ምሩጽ ሓመድ), water, and metallic coils that reinforce the structure from within.

After assembly, the ponds must rest for several days to dry and strengthen before they can be used. Trainers emphasize that this curing period is essential to ensure the pond can support a healthy and productive bee colony.

Once the ponds are ready, participants receive further training on the full cycle of beekeeping. This includes how to attract bees, what to feed them, how to maintain hive health, and how to harvest honey safely. Cleanliness and proper handling are strongly emphasized to ensure the honey remains raw, organic, and suitable for sale in local markets.

To help women begin their operations, the Ministry of Agriculture provides each participant with a starter group of bees. Agricultural experts continue to visit the sites regularly, offering follow‑up support, technical guidance, and troubleshooting assistance. Participants say this ongoing mentorship has been critical to the program’s success, ensuring that women receive support long after the initial training ends.

Most of the beekeeping sites are located near newly constructed dams under the Wefri Warsay Yikealo campaign, as well as in areas surrounding existing dams. These water bodies have created favorable micro‑ecosystems with abundant vegetation, making them ideal locations for bee activity. Many of the women involved in the beekeeping project also participated in earlier afforestation programs in the same areas, planting trees that now serve as vital forage for bees.

Ms. Senait Mehari, head of Economic and Social Services at NUEW, describes the initiative as a sustainable cycle: communities dig dams, plant trees, establish bee farms, and harvest organic honey. Each stage supports the next, creating a self‑reinforcing system that benefits both the environment and rural households.

Participants in Embaderho village, where the project is actively underway, report significant improvements in their daily lives. Tasks once considered “men’s work” are now being carried out confidently by women, thanks to continuous awareness‑raising programs promoting gender equality. Honey has become a valuable addition to household diets, providing natural sweetness and essential nutrients. Families also rely on honey as a traditional remedy for common illnesses.

Economically, the impact has been substantial. The sale of raw, organic honey has become a reliable source of income for many women, allowing them to contribute financially to their households. Some have expanded their operations by adding more hives, while others have used their earnings to support their children’s education, improve their homes, or invest in small businesses.

The program is expected to expand further as more communities express interest and as demand for organic honey continues to rise. Both the Ministry of Agriculture and NUEW have indicated plans to strengthen training efforts and increase follow‑up support in the coming years.

The Women in Beekeeping initiative is widely regarded as a model for sustainable rural development — one that combines traditional knowledge, environmental stewardship, and women’s economic empowerment.

Conclusion

The Women in Beekeeping initiative demonstrates that sustainable development does not require abandoning tradition, it requires investing in it. By combining indigenous techniques, ecological restoration, and sustained institutional support, the program has created a virtuous cycle in which women, land, and community prosperity reinforce one another. Honey harvested from the Gablawi Qofo is more than a product; it is proof that empowerment rooted in skill, knowledge, and follow-up support can endure. As women generate income, improve household nutrition, and reshape gender roles, they are also redefining development itself, showing that resilience grows strongest when it is cultivated locally. In a world searching for scalable, sustainable solutions, Eritrea’s women-led beekeeping initiative stands as a compelling reminder: when women are given the tools to build, entire communities thrive.