Aurelia Adhiambo wears many hats in animal advocacy in Africa. She is the Open Wing Alliance (OWA) Africa Lead at The Humane League. She’s a fund advisor on the Effective Altruism Animal Welfare Fund. And she’s the Africa Liaison of the Animal & Vegan Advocacy (AVA) Africa Summit. Aurelia discusses her OWA role in supporting member organizations across 13 African countries to promote cage-free commitments among food companies. Our conversation covers the growing animal advocacy movement in Africa, the challenges posed by industrialization and factory farming, and the importance of animal welfare in food production and policy. Aurelia also highlights efforts to engage the public, improve government regulations, and hold global companies accountable for their animal welfare commitments.
3 Simple Ideas to Make a Difference:
- Download the Open Wing Alliance Action App and complete quick volunteer activities.
- Ask local companies with branches in Africa to apply their cage-free commitments to Africa as well.
- Donate to Aurelia’s organizations to keep their work going.
Contact Aurelia & Learn More:

ABOUT AURELIA ADHIAMBO:
Aurelia works as the Open Wing Alliance Africa lead for The Humane League. She is also an advisor for the Effective Altruism animal welfare fund. She is a passionate animal advocate with a keen interest in supporting animal welfare organizations in Africa to expand their impact.
- Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aurelia-adhiambo-17860710a/
- Email: aadhiambo@thehumaneleague.org
- Open Wing Alliance Action App: https://action.openwingalliance.org/signup
- Effective Altruism Animal Welfare Fund: https://funds.effectivealtruism.org/funds/animal-welfare
- The Humane League / OWA Website: https://thehumaneleague.org/open-wing-alliance
- Animal & Vegan Advocacy Summit: https://www.avasummit.com/
Listen to Animal Advocacy in Africa:
Understanding the Role of Animal Advocacy in Africa
Aurelia Adhiambo’s Role and Responsibilities
Aurelia Adhiambo plays a pivotal role in supporting Open Wing Alliance member organizations across Africa, focusing on promoting cage-free commitments among food companies. Her work involves:
- Engaging with Companies: Aurelia assists organizations in securing commitments from food companies to eliminate battery cages for hens.
- Dual Approach: In countries where battery cages are prevalent, the focus is on transitioning to cage-free methods. In relatively cage-free countries, the goal is to prevent the adoption of battery cages.
The Growing Momentum of Animal Advocacy
Africa’s population is projected to double by 2050, leading to a significant rise in the demand for animal products, particularly eggs. This growth presents both challenges and opportunities for animal welfare advocates. Aurelia emphasizes the importance of leveraging this momentum to promote humane practices from the outset.
Challenges and Strategies in Animal Advocacy
Industrialization and Factory Farming
The varying levels of industrialization across Africa pose unique challenges for animal advocacy:
- Southern and North Africa: These regions are heavily reliant on factory farming practices.
- Other Regions: Some areas are still relatively cage-free, providing an opportunity to prevent the adoption of harmful practices.
Public Awareness and Engagement
Engaging the public and raising awareness about animal welfare issues is crucial. Aurelia notes that many member organizations conduct public awareness campaigns to educate consumers about the importance of animal welfare. Positive feedback from these initiatives indicates a growing recognition of animal welfare in food production.
Government Regulation and Policy Advocacy
Policies regulating animal welfare vary widely across African countries:
- Comprehensive Laws: Countries like Tanzania have comprehensive animal welfare laws.
- Lack of Regulations: Other countries lack such regulations, necessitating active engagement with policymakers to improve existing laws and incorporate animal welfare standards into agricultural policies.
Balancing Economic Growth and Animal Welfare
Economic growth and industrialization in Africa can sometimes conflict with animal welfare initiatives. Aurelia acknowledges this tension but believes that these priorities can coexist. She advocates for integrating animal welfare considerations into government policies aimed at achieving food security and supporting livelihoods.
The Unique Position of Africa in Global Animal Welfare
Unlike more industrialized nations, where factory farming practices are deeply entrenched, Africa has the opportunity to adopt more humane practices from the outset. Aurelia emphasizes the importance of holding global companies accountable for their commitments to animal welfare, urging them to extend their cage-free policies to their operations in Africa.
Broader Landscape of Animal Welfare in Africa
Companion Animal Welfare
Efforts to protect companion animals are also a significant aspect of animal welfare advocacy in Africa. Organizations like the SPCA and other rescue groups conduct vaccination drives and rescue operations for dogs and cats, highlighting the multifaceted nature of animal welfare advocacy across the continent.
Effective Altruism Animal Welfare Fund
As a Fund Advisor for the Effective Altruism Animal Welfare Fund, Aurelia provides financial support for various animal welfare initiatives globally. The fund focuses on diverse areas, including:
- Fish Welfare
- Policy Advocacy
- Research
The goal is to empower organizations to implement effective interventions.
How Listeners Can Support Animal Advocacy in Africa
Aurelia encourages listeners to support her work by:
- Engaging with Local Animal Organizations: Get involved with local animal advocacy groups.
- Participating in Awareness Campaigns: Join campaigns to raise awareness about animal welfare issues.
- Advocating for Cage-Free Commitments: Reach out to food companies to advocate for cage-free commitments.
- Holding Global Corporations Accountable: Even individuals outside of Africa can make a difference by holding global corporations accountable for their practices.
Conclusion
This episode of the “For Animals. For Earth.” show sheds light on the dynamic landscape of animal advocacy in Africa. Through corporate outreach, public awareness campaigns, and policy advocacy, advocates like Aurelia Adhiambo are working tirelessly to promote animal welfare and prevent the adoption of harmful practices as the continent continues to grow and develop. By understanding the challenges and opportunities in this field, listeners can contribute to the global movement for animal welfare and make a meaningful impact.
Animal Advocacy Around the World
Did you miss the episodes with Maho Uehara – Animal Advocacy in Japan – or Heidi Marquez-Caguioa – Animal Advocacy in the Philippines? Go check those out!
Watch Animal Advocacy in Africa:
Closed captioning transcript included in video. Subscribe on YouTube.