UN Women Changing Lives in 2012 UN Women Changing Lives in Africa 2012 We’ve had a year of significant growth and change. While we face a lot of hard work ahead, as we come to the end of 2012, it’s time for us to take a look back and reflect on our key achievements of the year. I wish we could tell every story, visit every country, meet every woman whose life UN Women has changed, and talk about all the programs in Africa, but we don’t have the space. In this first series, UN Women Changing Lives in Africa, we share fourteen inspiring stories from across the continent. Our focus here is the women and the communities whose lives have been positively impacted by our work. UN Women’s aim is to empower women and girls so that they are independent, gain equality and can strive for better lives for themselves and their families. These stories show how our work can transform lives and touch so many. Well done Africa team and thank you so much to all who contributed to this series of very moving and candid stories.

Happy reading, Letty Chiwara Chief of Africa UN Women New York [email protected]

3 BURKINA FASO: Women running dairy farms 5 CAMEROON: Domestic workers - their rights 7 Darfur: Women in broadcasting - messages of peace 9 ETHIOPIA: Safe house - a place for girls to heal 11 GREAT LAKES : Cross border trade builds lives 13 LIBERIA: Savings and loans - economic empowerment 15 MALI: Helping women to heal from wartime atrocities 17 MOZAMBIQUE: Girls know their rights - gender equality 19 NIGER: Women in office - political participation 21 RWANDA: Weaving baskets for peace and prosperity 23 : Women make gains in political participation 25 TANZANIA: Rural women’s empowerment – “Barefoot Solar Engineers” 27 ZIMBABWE: Blue berets police women – peace makers 29 ZIMBABWE: Women fishing crews succeed UN WOMEN changing lives in Africa | 2012 450 Women Dairy Farmers and Milk Producers in Burkina Faso Gain Economic Independence o s a F a n ki ur , B cer ffi O

ns atio c i un oto: UNDP Comm h P

Women at the Diary Unit of Madame Gariko’s farm at Sadipenga.

adame Gariko has a telephone ondary school, as like in most families, it and marketing. They were also constantly line at her rural farm just was not a priority to educate girls. She was faced with small markets and price fluctua- outside the capital of Burkina married as soon as her husband asked per- tions. Gariko says she lacks adequate storage Faso, Ouagadougou. Her son mission from her parents. facilities for her perishable products, so often is now entering university, something she She negotiated with male relatives for she is forced to sell them at below cost. Some Monce thought was impossible. the right to inheritance after her husband’s women too face inadequate transportation. “This would not have been possible if I death. She lost most of their family assets, There are no accessible roads to their farms, did not fight for what rightly belonged to me. save for 4 cows. She used cheap construction making it costly and almost impossible to We cannot look at relatives to feed us. I advise material to build a simple wooden structure hire a truck to transport dairy produce. other women to be enterprising because the and fence at the back of her house to keep In 1998 she formed a women’s group benefits are many, and with the coming of the 4 cows. This number has grown to 35. known as Tal Djama, to enable women in milk UN Women’s support the future is bright,” She is now producing dairy products from production to collectively tackle problems says Gariko. the cows. related to discrimination in accessing markets Gariko’s life, until lately, sounded like As she began farming she learned that many across Africa. After her husband’s there were many other women in similar death in the mid-1990’s, Gariko struggled difficult circumstances. In some cases they but managed to keep all of her 7 children in owned the cows but were exploited by mid- school. Her own education stopped at sec- dlemen who were involved in making yoghurt

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact francis boogere | [email protected] 3 o and land. Tal Djama now has 51 members. In s a F

2007, Madame Gariko approached UNIFEM a n ki

(now UN Women) to support enhancing the ur entrepreneurial skills of women involved in , B cer ffi

milk production through her association. O

As a result of a national study on women ns atio c in milk production in 13 a programme i to support women who manage mini-dairy un units was developed. 450 women dairy farm- ers and milk producers in Burkina Faso are

now benefitting from financing from the oto: UNDP Comm h program which will increase their entrepre- P neurial capacities and improve their working conditions. Close collaboration between different UN Women entities (including the UN Wom- en Sub-Regional Office, the headquarters Resource Mobilization and Partnership Unit and the Africa Section resulted in funding of up to 50,000 Euros for the pilot phase of the project being secured from the Fondation Millenium Development Village. L’OCCITANE. The grant will be used to im- prove working conditions of women entre- ACORD and the Fondation L’OCCITANE will About the preneurs in the dairy industry ultimately significantly impact the lives of women dairy leading to increased productivity and better farmers in Burkina Faso. Programme: income. The beneficiary organisation: Union The involvement with women in the UN Women does not have physical des mini-laiteries et des producteurs de lait dairy industry is the result of baseline studies presence in Burkina Faso, but it local du Burkina Faso (UMPL) brings togeth- conducted by UN Women which enabled the provides programming and technical er the 450 women dairy farmers and milk identification of the dairy industry as having support through its Sub-Regional producers. potential to economically transform the lives Office in Senegal. UN Women’s UN Women also forged strategic part- of women. This direct initiative with women engagement with women in dairy nerships with the Ministry of Gender and in the dairy industry has the potential to pro- farming dates back to 2009, when civil society organizations in Burkina Faso. pel ongoing work on women in agriculture the former UNIFEM conducted a As part of its normal briefing with civil soci- and to provide a new dimension on the mul- baseline survey of rural women ety and other partners, UN Women met in tiple avenues for reinforcing women’s eco- and identified women in dairy Dakar with the Association de Cooperation nomic security. farming as a potential group for et de Recherche pour le Développement Madame Gariko is very optimistic that enhancing economic empowerment. (ACORD) Burkina Faso. Following this meet- with the launch of this project the quality Extensive consultations with various ing, a mission was conducted to Burkina Faso and quantity of milk produced by women in stakeholders including Private where UN Women consulted with ACORD her women group will improve with training Foundations, CSOs and the and women entrepreneurs in the dairy in- in marketing and other entrepreneurship government have finally resulted in dustry. The ability to reach out to a variety of skills. With the construction of the central concrete support to the women in traditional and nontraditional implement- water supply centre for women in Tal Djama, dairy farming - with the potential to ing partners allows UN Women to draw in each woman will be able to produce a mini- reach an even larger group of women. and add value to untapped economic poten- mum of 20 litres of milk per day fetching tial for women. her approximately US$400 dollars a month, ACORD and the Fondation L’OCCITANE enough to comfortably take care of their were closely involved in the t formulation personal and family needs. and resource mobilization process. The cur- “Thank you UN Women, we have waited rent partnership between UN Women, long but we are now hopeful,” Gariko says.

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact francis boogere | [email protected] 4 UN WOMEN chaNgiNg livEs iN africa | 2012

Exploited Domestic Workers Organize Themselves to Defend their Rights in Cameroon orizons femmes h Photo: Photo:

ParticiPants of a national conference on domestic work in cameroon held at the centre Jean XXiii mvolyé in yaoundé.

bused and exploited by her em- “I worked with seven different families clude 50 members in its fold. Encouraged by ployers right from the beginning over a period of ten years due to irregular and its success, the initiative was integrated into of her work-life, 50-year-old Fé- poor working conditions and pay,” she said. RENATRAD, a network bringing together licité Mbida, a domestic worker When she started working in 1996, Fé- 65 associations with an average of 20 to 50 for more than twenty years, fights to promote licité was often subjected to sexual as well as members. theA rights of workers in Cameroon as part of psychological violence from her employers. employers.. Supported by the UN Women Fund for the National Association Supporting Domes- She worked without a contract or social secu- Gender Equality, RENATRAD organizes train- tic Workers (RENATRAD in French). rity and had no clearly defined working hours. ing sessions on labour legislation, the draft- As is the case for a number of young girls Exhausted and fed up with such abuse, in ing of work contracts, as well as professional from Cameroon, Félicité started working as a 2004 she decided to set up an association for ethics. With this training, domestic workers domestic worker and planned that she would domestic workers in order to promote soli- do this type of work only for a short time. But darity amongst professionals in this field. with a lack of other options, she was forced The Association for Housewives and to continue thisin order work to in provide order to for provide her two for Cooperating Partners of Yaoundé (AMCY childrenher two .children. in French) was born and rapidly grew to in-

EditEd by lEtty chiwara | [email protected] For morE inFormation contact: mariE nduwayo | [email protected] 5 centers for women and engendering

6 UN WOMEN changing lives in Africa | 2012

Radio Broadcasters Send Messages of Peace in Darfur – Intisar’s Women and Society Programme en om w a, UN a, ed D ubo h amm oto: M oto: h P

Participants train together to send messages of peace in Sudan.

or Intisar Ginded, a mother of one, For Intisar, whose name in Arabic means breaks out, they are the most affected, often peace in Darfur means everything to triumph, working as a broadcaster would help fleeing to far-flung areas in search of peace her and her community. Darfur has her illuminate the issues that affect Darfuri- and stability. I initiated this programme to ca- known only conflict and tragedy for ans, especially women and children, who bear ter for their needs. We share information with years. Sounds of gunfire and heavy shelling the brunt of the perennial conflicts. them regarding various issues. During con- Ffill the air in what is another flare up in -Af Intisar graduated from the University flict, we share messages of peace and hope rica, with both sides killing and displacing of Koran in Khartoum with a Bachelor’s De- over mayhem and fear,” said Intisar. many thousands including the most vulner- gree in Media in 2004. She also holds a di- Intisar was part of a 20-strong group of able women and children. ploma in media with a specialty in TV and media practitioners and UN Women imple- Armed with a media degree and a pas- Radio programming. She is currently pursu- menting partners who attended a two-day sion to find lasting solutions for her commu- ing a Master’s degree at the National Ribat Strategic Communications training in Khar- nity, Intisar joined the state-owned Elfasher University. toum on October 10 and 11, 2012. The par- Radio and Television Station. The dedicated broadcast journalist pio- ticipants, drawn from print and electronic “As a young girl, I had a burning ambi- neered a radio and TV programme, called media and UN Women partners, were trained tion to work as a broadcaster. I knew that it Women and Society, which runs on Darfur on how to engage the public effectively, me was the only profession that would allow me state media every morning and evening. to directly talk to my community. It would “Women are always isolated from the allow me to exchange information and ideas. national development agenda, yet they are Nothing was going to stop me from realizing the majority of the population and contrib- my dream,” said Intisar. ute immensely to our economy. When war

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: Jebbeh forster | [email protected] 7 dia and gender mainstreaming, how to use popularity of the radio medium remains involvement in development issues also new media, blogging, preparing media advi- high, amongst the six billion people who counts. We are not just figures!’’ said Intisar, sories, op-ed writing, press releases, effec- have access to it worldwide. who added she was proud of what her pro- tive story wring, photography and manage- Community radio uses the power of the gramme accomplished. ment of press conferences. medium, but redefines it to give a voice to Intisar described how women and chil- “Media is an important player in the the most marginalized communities. It cre- dren have suffered greatly during conflicts field of development and cannot be ignored. ates a non-commercial platform, where or- as they are always forced to flee their homes Media can be an important actor in the pro- dinary people in rural communities, often and move to unstable environments. In do- motion of gender equality. If misused, it can the women of the community, own and pro- ing so they leave crops untended and this also relay negative messages,” UN Women duce the content they hear on the radio. has a huge effect on food security. In Darfur, Sudan Country Director Ms. Jebbeh Forster To expand the dialogue on women’s she said, women are the agriculture labor- told the participants. rights and to ensure that the voices of rural ers, even though they receive fewer benefits. “I recall such a case during the Northern women are heard at the international level, Intisar said her programme provides wom- Uganda peace talks when women were for the UN Women is expanding its advocacy ef- en with factual information on the stability first time allowed to participate. It just took forts through community radio. This will in- of Darfur. “We spread the messages of peace an open disagreement between the women clude innovative radio partnerships such as and hope in the refugee camps,” she said. representatives for some section of the media with the World Association of Community to publish screaming headlines of the inci- Radio Broadcasters, the leading internation- dents obviously taking away the real message al network of over 4000 community radio UN Women in Dafur from the talks,” she said. organizations. Providing glimpses into eco- The overarching goal of UN Women’s According to UNESCO, radio can be nomic empowerment, leadership, and sus- strategy in Darfur is: “to ensure found in the homes of 75 percent of the tainable development efforts, this new com- sustained engagement by women world population. For billions of people liv- munications partnership will explore issues in the Darfur peace process in order ing in rural areas, or as urban poor, access to that define the lives of rural women and to actualise gender equality and the information is limited. Disconnected from their communities, and how they are creat- rights of women in the Darfur peace the information gateway due to poverty, low ing change worldwide. agreement and in durable solutions for literacy, limited electricity connections and For Intisar, working for women is a calling. sustainable peace.” In 2012, prevention, access to communication technologies such “There is an Arabic saying which states protection, participation and gender as computers and internet, radio is often the that women are half of the population in the sensitive humanitarian response and only medium available. Run on batteries, society. However for me, women are not only strategy shapes the priority areas lightweight, mobile and inexpensive, the half of the population just in numbers. Their for the UN Women and its national counterparts in Darfur in line with the

en om Security Council Resolutions 1325 on w Women Peace and Security, and its a, UN a, consequent resolutions of 1820, 1888, 1889, as well as the set of indicators endorsed by Secretary General. ed D ubo h amm Organizing women into groups in

oto: M P h oto: Internally Displaced (IDP) camps is not only an empowerment strategy, it provides social cohesion that helps women to respond to vulnerability and protect the livelihood and income of the individuals within the group.

Intisar Ginded of Elfasher Radio and TV Station (left) with another participant during the training.

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: Jebbeh forster | [email protected] 8 UN WOMEN changing lives in Africa | 2012

A Safe House Providing Shelter and a Future for Girls Who Had Neither: Adama, Ethiopia er

t If it hadn’t been for the safe house I would

alli s have had nowhere to go. I finished third grade c at school, and I still want to go back one day. m wn a For now, I want to learn cooking skills so I can work to support myself and the baby.” oto: d P h oto: Tsegerida isn’t optimistic about Hana’s prospects for obtaining justice, “The crime was obviously reported quite late. The police are working on it, but she can’t afford to pay for the DNA test, so there is no evidence.” Another girl at the house with an equally tragic history, Rahima(not her real name) is 12 years old, and comes from a village not far from Addis Ababa. She giggled as she de- scribed how she preferred sitting on the swing to pushing her friends, but she did it anyway. “Every day I would gather the sheep, goats and cows before dinner,” she said. One day while she was on her way home A BUSY MARKET STREET IN URBAN ETHIOPIA. from school two adult cousins, one from her own a dusty suburban street, The current 35 occupants include nine mothers’ and one from her fathers’ side, held behind high white washed walls, children, nineteen adults, and seven babies. her down and raped her. She woke up from a gates and razor wire sits a small A former government social worker, Tsegerida week-long coma with a broken hip. One of her brick house, just like countless oth- was inspired to take on this challenging role attackers is currently on trial, and the other ers in the Ethiopian city of Adama. What’s spe- by, “knowing many people in my personal life, has absconded. The safe house is paying for Dcial about this particular address is that it con- relatives and friends, who were abused.” She her to receive therapy so she has a hope of tains a service funded entirely by UN Women said that they, like many women in Ethiopia, walking without crutches in the future. Rahi- that is creating a future for women and girls “don’t know their rights, and don’t know ma’s parents brought her here as they cannot who have experienced unthinkable abuse. what they can do when they have been raped afford the treatment she needs. But she miss- Despite what one might expect, the As- or subjected to violence.” es her family and her school. sociation for Women Sanctuary and Develop- Hana (not her real name) is 15. She was Rahima’s friend at the Safe House is 13- ment (AWSD) Safe House is a bustling, cheer- born in Gonder, 800 kilometers from Adama. year- old Almaz (not her real name). She is ful place, filled with the sounds of children Two years ago, her aunt convinced her par- bubbly, energetic, and gesticulates exuber- playing and the smell of injera (Ethiopian ents to send her to Adama so she would have antly when she speaks about playing house bread) being cooked. access to better education. Instead, she found with friends back in Boroji town. Almaz cried “No one, not even the neighbours, knows herself working as a maid. After being raped continuously for a week when she arrived. what this house is. And not even the police by her cousin, Hana became pregnant and “At first I was scared, but now I’m happy. I know where it is,” says the programme man- her aunt threw her out when she found out. have friends here,” she says. The eleventh of ager Tsegerida (not her real name). The 24- Ashamed to return home, an elderly neigh- 12 children in her family, Almaz moved to her year old says she has witnessed a change in bour took her in, and when she gave birth, older sister’s house in Adama for a chance at the attitude of police and legal services, even the aunt took her to the local police, who in the past few years. “My generation is more called the safe house. aware of our rights than previous genera- Being such a young mother is difficult in tions, and as we work together with the po- any circumstance, but Hana says, “I’ve been lice, their attitudes change too,” she said. taught how to feed, clean and change my son.

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: florence butegwa | [email protected] 9 er t alli s c About the m wn a Programme

oto: d P h oto: Supported by UN Women Ethiopia under their strategy to End Violence Against Women the safe house has given shelter to 125 women for a minimum of three months each, and provided them with intensive counsel- ing and medical care over the past 12 months. A key part of the centre’s work is providing training in cook- ing, computer literacy, hairdressing, or sewing and embroidery to each woman or girl. The house contains a full-time clinic, training facility, kitchen, counseling services, a herb garden, living quarters, and an admin- istration office. Embroidery is the most TUCKSHOPS LIKE THIS ONE ARE COMMONLY USED TO PURCHASE DAILY NEEDS IN ETHIOPIA. popular class, and at a sewing school a better education. Her sister had different throughout the day. in the busy centre of Adama, the mood plans and wanted her to babysit and clean Zahara (not her real name), 30, manag- among the dozen women in the class instead. Almaz was raped by her sister’s hus- es the small cafeteria. She ran away from is ebullient. None of the women being trained had any sewing experience band. Pregnant when she arrived at the safe home when she was 10, and spent years liv- before they arrived. In class for two house, the law required she had an abortion. ing on the streets, finding work as a cleaner hours every day for four months, they The rapist confessed to the crime, pled when she could. Zahara first came to the have made samples and patterns from guilty in court, and received a sentence of safe house homeless and unemployed, des- newspaper to design clothes before just seven years, which is currently under perate and ready to abandon her two small moving on to real fabric. appeal by prosecutors. Despite this, her sis- children there. ter doesn’t believe her, and she is worried “I thought I could give up my kids at the that her parents won’t accept her either. safe house,” she said. “I was living on the bread with sauce). The police at the station “I want to go back to school, but I can’t street with two young children, all alone, next door love it.” Zahara’s plan is eventually return to my parents’ house,” she said. Unfor- with no one to help me.” But when she ar- to branch out on her own and become truly tunately though, there may be no other op- rived, she found a warm and welcoming en- independent. “I hope one day to own my tion. Tsegerida said that Almaz’s 28-year-old vironment. The safe house took her and the own cafeteria,” she said. brother, who took her to the police when he children in. Now Zahara and her children Behind the gates and the razor wire, discovered she had been raped, works as a have a real future. these women and children are safe, and the day labourer in Adama, earning 10-20 birr Zahara was emotional when she spoke services provided here offer a chance at self- (US$0.60-US$1.15) per day, but only when about her feeling when the business began sufficiency. However, Tsegerida says that ev- there is work. This is barely enough to sup- to make money, “At first, managing the busi- ery day the police call with another woman port himself, let alone Almaz. ness was a challenge, but when we started who has been beaten or raped, and they can’t Near the center of town, a cooperative making profits, it is a very exciting feeling. I always help. Shaking her head in disbelief, of nine survivors trained in cooking by the was so, so happy!” Hana said, “I didn’t know there were places safe house run a cafeteria, serving tradi- While taking care of her kids is still like this.” For many, many more women and tional Ethiopian food like injera, (bread) challenge, the cooperative has established a girls in Ethiopia and elsewhere, there aren’t. wat, a thick stew served on top of the bread, system where staff take turns to babysit so and of course, ceremonially prepared cof- that everyone can work. She designs the fee. The aroma of coffee fills the courtyard menu, and says it has evolved as she has be- all day long, as beans are ground and tradi- come more familiar with customers’ tastes. tional sweet strong black coffee is served “Our best seller is our ferfer (chopped injera

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: florence butegwa | [email protected] 10 UN WOMEN changing lives in Africa | 2012

Selling Brooms and Food Builds Homes - Women Cross-Border Traders in the Great Lakes en Wom UN ph oto:

Every day in the Great Lakes region women gather to cross borders and sell their wares. More than 45,000 women in this area trade on foodstuffs and household wares.

hipo (not her real name) is 47 and often taken advantage of by others at border of providing livelihood for their families. a cross-border trader. Like many crossings. Regrettably, women’s informal trade remains women in her profession in Africa Chipo’s story is true for more than under-estimated and neglected in trade and around the world, she is not ed- 45,000 women in the Great Lakes region policies and processes. ucated and has no other alternative employ- who engage in informal cross border trade UN Women has been working on ‘wom- Cment. There are nights she stands in line for as a form of survival and employment. The en in informal cross-border trade’ since 2006, hours in the heat and dust, waiting to clear Great Lakes Region has suffered from armed and the key areas of focus are to support co- customs. Several years ago she was robbed of conflict for more than 3 decades. Cross-border alitions and organizations of women infor- all of her cash and her passport, which caused trade provides visible proof of the economic mal cross-border traders to amplify their col- great difficulty as it took time to replace the interdependency that exists between the lective voice into national, sub-regional and passport and she lost valuable income while countries in this region. These links also show regional trade groups and strengthen their she waited. the closer ties between populations who advocacy platforms.. Feasibility studies on Selling brooms and mops has paid for are often divided due to mistrust from the women in cross border trade have revealed an addition on her house and put food on violent conflicts which continue to plague that these women face a lot of challenges her table to feed her three sons and retired these neighboring countries. In this context husband. She would like to move into formal of conflict, formal employment opportunities trade but admits she has no idea just how are limited making cross border trade the to do this. As a woman with no capital and only form of employment and survival for with a family to feed, she is vulnerable and the many women who carry the burden

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: Diana Ofwona | [email protected] 11 About the

en Wom UN ph oto: Programme: UN Women has been implementing an Africa wide programme aimed at creating wealth and reducing poverty and exclusion among women informal cross border traders (WICBT) in Africa. Phase I of the programme (2006-2009) focused on empirical baseline studies in the four sub- regions. The general objective of the baseline studies (conducted in the Great Lakes Region, Cameroun, Liberia, Tanzania, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and the studies covered border points in Senegal, Niger, Showing their goods at trade fairs, women are able to better promote thier skills and join a grow- Guinea, Togo) was to assess the ing economy. With support women learn to make a living and support their families. overall political, economic, social, physical and institutional context and hurdles including: lack of access to credit, and women traders in Goma (DRC) and within which women and men in services, transport, goods storage and mar- Rubavu (Rwanda). As a result of these sensi- informal cross border trade operate keting information, exposure to abuses and tization sessions five cooperatives have been in these countries. insecurity at border crossings established allowing the women a greater The UN Women Central Africa Regional voice to advocate for policy change and for Phase II of the WICBT programme Office has engaged various stakeholders to their protection and security at border posts. is being implemented in the Great change the plight of women cross border In addition 120 women in informal cross-bor- Lakes Region (Rwanda, Democratic traders in Central Africa. Consultative meet- der trade were trained in entrepreneurship Republic the Congo and Burundi), ings were held with municipal authorities at Gatumba (Burundi) and Rubavu (Rwanda). Nigeria, Liberia, Cameroun, Niger, These courses have given Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mali. In this phase them the tools to control UN Women provides the women the process of marketing traders with direct support, services, their products and acquire capacity building and advocates en Wom UN ph oto: managerial knowledge. for gender sensitive polices at Another key policy national and regional level. change is that the Econom- ic Commission for Central Africa has now started to Country by country, policy makers construct warehouses in need to understand the hardships and risks both Goma and Rubavu. which women like Chipo experience as The warehouses will provide they strive to provide a livelihood to their shelter and security of both families. Governments need to establish the women and their goods. well-targeted policies to facilitate these This is real and sustainable women’s contribution to the economic change that will change the growth of their countries. lives of these women who are contributing to the eco- For the first time, WICBT from Burundi, Rwanda and DRC partici- pated in the Regional Market of Agricultural Products in East nomic growth of their coun- Africa on 10-11 November 2011 in Kigali. They had the opportu- tries and the sustenance of nity to share with buyers of food, discovering new methods of cultivation and thus access to formal markets their families.

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: Diana Ofwona | [email protected] 12 UN WOMEN changing lives in Africa | 2012 Savings and Loans Provide Business Opportunities and Economic Empowerment to 34 Women in Liberia

en Wom UNoto: h P

Women Savings and Loan participants waiting outside for their meeting in Sinjie, Liberia.

endu Pepper Kamara is an entre- Bendu’s group has also developed a so- rural areas face economic uncertainty as preneur and successful business- cial fund to support members in times of they have little access to start-up capital if woman. Her achievements stem emergency, to celebrate birthdays and grad- they want to begin a business or learn a from belonging to a savings and uations, and to fund group projects. This trade. Helping these vulnerable women loan club which has turned her life and the past year (2012) the group planted a small opens up opportunities for families and en- Blife of her family completely around. “We cassava and ground pea farm and paid a tire communities as economic independence were 25 members for the first two years and brushing crew to keep up the land, demon- breeds greater gender equality and more po- because of our success other women wanted strating the diverse ways that the women litical and community participation. to join us. We empowered them to save mon- are uniting to empower themselves as indi- Women’s SLAs are providing rural Libe- ey to buy shares and now our total is 34, “ she viduals and as a group. rian women with the opportunity to access says. The Central Bank of Liberia is taking in- sustainable micro-finance and savings op- With her first loan she purchased goods creasing interest in the potential of women’s portunities. These financial services enhance which her husband sold in his shop, with her Saving and Loan Associations (SLAs) to ex- their engagement in economic activities and second loan she purchased a generator and tend financial services to rural areas, un- increase their economic independence and freezer and now sells cold water and juice reached by formal banking services. Starting security. on her own. With a 10 per cent interest rate, this year, the central bank is loaning wom- Bendu states that the association loans are en-led SLAs money at a low interest rate of 3 affordable for members while still enabling per cent. In turn, the SLAs lend those funds the women to turn over a profit on their on to their members. shares. Without such opportunities, women in

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: sheelagh kathy.mangones | [email protected] 13 en About the oto: oto: UNWom

ph Programme The Savings and Loan Association Programme is supported by the UN Joint Programme for Gender Equality and Women’s Economic Empowerment, led by UN Women. The Joint Programme is implemented within the framework of the Africa Regional Programme on Rural Women whose main goal is to secure rural women’s rights and livelihoods in the context of the food crisis and climate change. The programme strategy emphasizes the crucial role of women in combating food insecurity and poverty, and the importance of women’s access to sustainable energy and assets

Yellow T-shirts here say “”Development is Our Goal.” Taken in Bong, Liberia including credit. In implementing this programme, UN Women drives More than 4,000 rural Liberian women for micro finance, including the beneficia- effective and efficient United have joined SLAs between 2010 and 2012. ries under the Central Bank’s Loan Extension Nations system coordination and In the first year, women saved an average and Availability Facility, which makes the strategic partnerships in support of US$169 annually and benefited from an av- lower interest loans to women-led SLAs. UN to rural women, and building erage of US$464 in loans per member. In the Women supported training of 10 NGOs and institutional capacity in Government second year, without any further intervention 35 rural women extension agents in SLA to better respond to rural women’s or support, the average individual savings of methodology and works alongside UNDP to needs and priorities. the same beneficiaries jumped to US$430 co-fund and implement the expansion of and loans received averaged US$1,179. the training to over 4,000 Liberian women.

The Savings and Loan Association Pro- The success of rural women like Benda en gramme is supported by the UN Joint Pro- in managing their savings and rotating gramme for Gender Equality and Women’s credit has put their Savings and Loan Asso- oto: oto: UNWom

Economic Empowerment, led by UN Women, ciations at the forefront of the Central ph through the Central Bank of Liberia, Ministry Bank’s efforts to increase access to capital of Gender and Development, United Nations for rural Liberians. In the past, many of these Capital Development Fund, and United Na- funds went to loan portfolios in banks or tions Development Programme. It is imple- credit unions, which are more typically dom- mented with support from five implement- inated by male managers and male clients. ing partners: Educare, Care International, UN Women Liberia will continue to sup- Universal Empowerment Mission, We 4 Self, port the rural women extension agents of and Liberian Development Services. SLAs to ensure sustainability at the local A group sitting inside for their Savings and Loan meeting, Sinjie, Libera In addition to leading the Joint Pro- level. As many of the associations have larg- gramme, UN Women has served as a voting er investments, UN Women is working with member of the Central Bank chaired Invest- IFC to look at linking the rural associations ment Committee for Inclusive Finance. The and the larger women owned businesses to Investment Committee supports decision facilitate access to more formal and larger making on programming and investment banking institutions.

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: sheelagh kathy.mangones | [email protected] 14 UN WOMEN changing lives in Africa | 2012

More than 1,000 Survivors of Violence Against Women and Girls Receive Holistic Services in Mali itz ali w M / O ko er a B v r oto : REPS F EC : P h oto e UN P h oto/D P h oto:

Saran Keïta Diakité, President of women’s peace UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson met and security network REPSFECO/Mali, was among with approximately 40 women leaders to hear the 40 women leaders who presented their their proposals and demands aimed at helping recommendations for resolving the conflict. resolve conflict in Mali.

ince March 2012, the Gao region of refused to be identified. “These are just 51 women in a specific area Mali has been a battleground with Mali is facing a three-fold crisis, insti- who were able to come forward. Rape is some- armed groups terrorizing the popu- tutional, food-related, and security-related. thing people don’t talk about in this area,” said lation and often violently abusing This has led to significant numbers of dis- UN Women Country Programme Manager the most vulnerable – women and children. placed persons and refugees, especially wom- Rachelle Djangone Mian. “Imagine what the SRape, sexual violence and forced mar- en and children. In order to tackle this crisis, actual number of women and girls raped is.” riages have tragically become commonplace. UN Women Mali has facilitated the swift de- Some 27 exchange spaces, known as This has led to the displacement of vast nunciation of rapes committed in the North. “WOYE SIIFA,” have been set up in the two numbers of people fleeing the conflict. This UN Women has also been documenting cases regions. These are for the psycho-social care prompted UN Women to conduct a survey of rape and identifying the needs of displaced of displaced women. A national pool of psy- documenting the violence against women women and girls; combining the efforts of chologists has been established comprising and girls revealing more than 50 cases of in- four United Nations agencies (UN Women, 40 people responsible for providing care. dividual and collective rape. Very few of UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO) in a joint project; They are working in occupied areas, through these survivors came forward to tell their and partnering with the Malian Army. medical convoys, and also in the areas where stories due to the stigma attached to this Thanks to these diverse and rapid re- displaced people are. With financial support form of violence. sponses, UN Women has been able to con- from the Netherlands, UN Women is sup- “As the different shops are being looted, tribute resources for the care of 51 rape sur- porting the Army General Staff in educating I went in to get a can of oil and a bag of rice. vivors identified in the communes of Gao and the defence and security forces about the The rebels were just in the corner and watch- Menaka. It has also raised awareness about protection of women and girls. Four United ing me. So when I came out, they forced me various United Nations resolutions, especially Nations agencies have been successfully as- in their vehicle and chained my two arms. on the culpability of those who commit rape. sociated with the initiative. They are UNI- They were four in the vehicle and they took In addition, 207 displaced women and girls in me in a dark area. Three other girls were refugee camps are receiving assistance in es- also there. They raped us during two nights tablishing income-generating programmes. and each time they came in groups of three, These activities empower women and help four and sometimes five,” said one girl who to restore their dignity.

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: rachelle mian | [email protected] 15 UNFPA, UNHCR and UNAIDS. Above all, UN Women has been docu- menting cases of rape in all the regions un-

der occupation, drawing attention to gender- en Wom UN P h oto: based violence that women and girls in the occupied regions are suffering. UN Women is boosting the response by creating cohesion among all the United Nations agencies with responsibility for protection. It has also suc- cessfully developed a partnership with wom- en’s civil society organizations and with tech- nical and financial partners. In the field of promoting the rights of women and girls and protecting them Women leaders meet in a WOYE SIIFA, debating how to tackle issues facing women in Mali’s conflict areas. against gender-based violence, the most im- portant change has been a proactive ap- have benefited from psycho-social support. proach and comprehensive nature of the re- Fifty therapy groups have been established sponse delivered in synergy with other actors. to provide space for women and girls to talk About the In terms of assisting survivors in the chal- about their experiences. UN Women is part Programme: lenges of denunciation, all the services are of the gender-based violence cluster lobby- brought together to provide victims with a ing the justice ministry to issue a memoran- UN Women has been operating holistic response. These services include the dum to all levels of the justice system saying in Mali since 2008 and the media, and psycho-social and legal support. that adequate measures must be taken in or- activities of UN Women have Responding to such a horrific situation, der to handle gender-based violence cases as been intensified since 2010 with UN Women developed a partnership with soon as they are submitted. the opening of the country office. two local NGO’s to put in place a holistic ap- During this crisis, UN Women has been UN Women’s goal is to ensure proach to support rape victims through the able to mobilize significant financial resourc- women’s representation at all establishment of a gender-based violence es to support the promotion and protection levels in electoral and designated unit in the major hospital in the country. In of the rights of women and girls in conflict positions in a violence free and each unit medical and psycho-social sup- situations. The organization must have quali- secure environment where wealth port is provided. fied personnel in key areas to ensure that is equally distributed to meet To date, out of the 10 planned units, four implementation is effective. It is overall a basic and strategic needs of men are fully functional (Gao, Mopti, Kati, Bama- strongly strategic approach that should be and women. To meet this goal, ko) and more than 1,000 women and girls consolidated. the actions are in 4 development strategic areas: Increased Women representation in parliament, Rural Women & Women in CBT Access Resources in formal en Wom UN P h oto: economic, National Action Plan on VAW fully implemented, and the 2011-2013 National Gender P & Budgeting Strategy fully implemented.

Women meet to discuss the situation in Mali and its effects on the community and its citizens. There are 27 spaces known as WOYE SIIFA, where women can speak openly about issue like violence against women.

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: rachelle mian | [email protected] 16 UN WOMEN changing lives in Africa | 2012

Uniting to End Violence Against Women and Girls in Mozambique: The Story of Chissomo en om w : un s : P h oto

Chishomo (above and right) making statement at a meeting at the school.

or a 16 year-old, Chissomo Beny, is un- living with the family. Participating in the usually and acutely aware of her fu- workshops was a rewarding experience that ture. She knows the key to her devel- changed her outlook and relationships with opment and economic independence others at school. She said she found a safe lies in staying away from early marriage and space to openly discuss things that are never Fpremature pregnancy. When UN Women ar- talked about publicly, like a girl’s right to say rived at her school in Quelimane, Mozam- no to any type of sexual behavior, even in in- bique and set up workshops and activities timate encounters with boyfriends. promoting gender equality, Chissomo was But not all girls and women have the first in line to take part. awareness that Chissomo now has. In a sur- Chissomo said the program had a big vey conducted by the Ministry of Women and impact on the students. “Before, girls’ voices Social Action in Mozambique, 54 percent of were never heard, but now we don’t feel scared women between the ages of 15 and 44 were to say that we have rights that must be ob- found to have suffered from physical or sexu- served. Even boys now say that there is no jus- al violence. tification for violence against girls,” she said. In a local survey, the National Institute A studious girl, she takes her classes seri- for Statistics, found that 19 per cent of wom- ously and also helps her mother look after en from the ages of 15-49 said men have the her four younger siblings as her father is not right to hit their partners if their partner

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: Valeria de Campos Mello @ [email protected]. 17 to inform the man when leaving the house; en om

21 per cent reported that men have the right w to hit their partners if their partners fail to

pay attention to children; and 19 per cent said un P h oto: men have the right to hit their partners if their partners refuse to have sex with them. It was statistics such as these that led to Mozambique’s strong commitment to fight- ing violence against women and girls and embracing the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign. The Campaign named UNIDOs in Mozam- bique focuses on getting messages out to secondary schools around the country as an Meeting at Chishomo’s School ideal way to reach young people. In Septem- ber 2012, UN Women Mozambique took UNI- UNIDOS has partnered with Mozambi- DOS to the Province of Zambezia for a three- can Female Basket Ball team “Desportivo.” As About the day programme including debates with ambassadors of the campaign, team mem- Programme: students and teachers and a baseline survey bers deliver the UNITE campaign’s messages The UNiTE campaign in Mozambique with more than 800 students to reveal their by printing them on T-Shirts, shorts and bags was launched by President Armando perceptions of violence against women. worn by the team in all matches. It was Emilio Guebuza, on 2 November, UNIDOS aims to unmask and change through this partnership that the campaign 2010. The President also signed on the view that violence against women and messages reached nearly 20,000 athletes and to the SAY NO and AFRICA UNITE girls can only be solved in the privacy of the spectators during the 10th All Africa Games, CAMPAIGN. The launch took place home, and instead emphasizes that gender- which took place in Mozambique in 2010. during the Second National Confer- based violence is an issue that should be ad- UNIDOS has targeted key change mak- ence on Women and Gender bringing dressed in public spaces as well. Four Celebri- ers for social change and mobilization to together participants from all walks ties, two men and two women, were selected achieve its objectives. Local community lead- of life – parliamentarians, entrepre- to serve as the UNIDOS Champions of Change ers, men, schools and sports organizations neurs, public sector decision makers, in Mozambique. These celebrities are well were approached as change makers. They and gender equality activists. Eleven known in the country for their work in differ- will be the face of strategies used to raise Mozambican provinces simultane- ent areas such as music and journalism. awareness and demand action. Programmes ously launched the campaign, giving A special shooting of a TV Programme include public debates, television pro- it broad national coverage. The “Homen que e Homen” (A Man who is a Man) grammes, nominating Champions of Change conducive legal framework including was completed, which featured among oth- and the delivery of messages through flyers, the National Action Plan for Preven- ers the UN Women Country Representative, T-shirts and other similar products. tion and Combating Violence Against the Chief of Police and one of the Champions Mozambique has passed laws and acts Women (2008-2012) and the Act of Change, Valdemiro Jose, to deliver the which penalize any actions of domestic vio- on Domestic Violence Perpetrated UNIDOS messages to the public. This series lence including: physical abuse; sexual abuse; against Women took effect on 29 aims at changing the way men view women emotional and psychological abuse; intimida- March, 2010 has contributed to the and girls, and even the way girls perceive tion; harassment; stalking; damage to prop- highest level of commitment for themselves. erty; any other controlling or abusive behavior actions to end violence against Chissomo was appointed the female that harms or may cause harm to a person. women and girls in Mozambique. representative on the “A man who is a real The penalties include: fines, community work, man” show, which was recorded at her school and imprisonment between 3 days to 8 years. and broadcast nationally on TV Mozambique. With laws in place, awareness raising Now she says she feels more respected by her workshops and the highest level of political colleagues and her opinions are taken into commitment for action, Mozambique is mov- consideration more seriously as many stu- ing forward to secure a brighter future for dents see her as a role model. girls like Chissomo.

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: Valeria de Campos Mello @ [email protected]. 18 UN WOMEN changing lives in Africa | 2012

Implementing the Quota Law – Women Move Forward as They Gain Support to Stand for Office in the 2015 Elections in Niger!

absou Issoufou is a candidate for ch a r the post of councilor of the rural area of Sae Saboua in the Maradi

region of Niger. She is married n Ba a h ama and has four children. Unlike many in her

Harea, she had the good fortune to have gone M s : P h oto to school. And now she has been a recipient of UN Women training in governance and leadership, trying to put more women at decision making levels. Habsou has been loyal to her political party and has worked hard for her committee. She is trying to climb up to the departmental committee. She ran for office in 2010 but lost. She says she will run again in the next polls in 2015 and not give up until her voice is heard. “UN Women has given us more than money,” said Habsou. “Thanks to the (Un Women training) project we take our position in reclaiming our rights. Notably, we are now allowed to keep an eye on the numbers of voices and to make us equal and close to the leaders of our political parties. If this time my voice is not silent, and I am engaged and can defend myself, and if it pleases God, I will be a councilor in the next election.” While she waits for the next election, Habsou takes part with

other women mobilizing and preparing to women making grain for their porridge. (LEFT)The granaries of the village. train for leadership at the community level and move into the political scene. In the last parliamentary elections in 2010, as equal representatives. This has huge im- Great strides have recently been made 15 seats of 113 or 13 percent were held by plications for gender equity. Since Niger’s Na- toward gender equality in leadership as the women. tional Radio Television service reported on number of elected women has increased, es- These women elected representatives pecially as deputy mayors. In 2002 a quota were once quantified as being “elected by law was adopted by the Government oblig- quota” and are now described simply as ing all competing political parties to allot 10 “elected.” Male elected representatives and percent of their elected positions to women. the population in general, now see women

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: Josephine Odera | [email protected] 19 ch a r About the

n Ba a h ama Programme: UN Women works to empower oto: M ph oto: women in Niger and supports training for elected women officials.T his has given women the confidence to speak up during council meetings and other political gatherings. Similarly, the UN Women project for the “promotion of gender equity and political participation of women in Niger” has also provided training for male elected public officials.T raining has covered the gender approach, and gender- Habsou, in the center with the blue scarf, accepting goats her group has been assigned to fatten up. sensitive planning and budgeting. It has also contributed to improving “UN Women in the region of Tahoua,” may- ing men’s perception of women. Practical fi- men’s perception of women. ors of numerous communes have contacted nancial support for conducting income-gen- Finally, practical financial support UN Women or partners and have said they erating activities has won respect for these for conducting income-generating would ‘give way’ to women in the next elec- women elected as representatives. activities has won respect for these tions in 2015. With proper preparation be- The pledge of support by male mayors women elected as representatives. tween now and the elections, if the candi- will definitely bring about changes in the per- dates are given appropriate training and ception of women as credible leaders women support, the number of women elected rep- as leaders and it will further boost their confi- conflicts on its northern border with Libya resentatives is likely to increase considerably. dence. It will empower them to take part in and western border with Mali. Niger is still This will increase the influence of wom- community management. Also they will be developing, and consistently ranks as one of en in positions to impact council program- examples to young girls and also women po- the lowest ranks of the United Nations’ Hu- ming decisions and lead to gender-sensitive tential candidates, encouraging them to be- man Development Index (HDI), 186th of 187 planning and budgeting. Currently with only come more involved as role models. countries in 2011. a 10 per cent presence of elected women of- This change has occurred since the im- The traditional sources of support have ficials at district administration level, they plementation of a number of programmes been strained by the humanitarian situation. find it difficult to influence or participate in including training for women, publicity about As a result, few communes have benefited debates as they are outnumbered by men. women’s involvement in local governance from the interventions of technical and fi- One of the fundamental traditional bar- being aired on rural community radio sta- nancial partners. All of this means that the riers to women’s political participation in Ni- tions, and regular debates being organized training sessions and achievements have ger is their absence from decision-making between male and female elected represen- been particularly powerful and badly needed positions. UN Women works to empower tatives. The most important factor in this by its citizens. women in Niger and supports training for change has been support for the gender as- For Habsou and her colleagues, UN elected women officials. This has given pect of the Community Development Plans Women’s training has provided a path to the women the confidence to speak up during in the communes or administrative districts. future, which would otherwise be unobtain- council meetings and other political gather- Thanks to the women and the programmes, able. By supporting women to use their po- ings. Similarly, the UN Women project for the communities have received support. This has litical voices and know their rights, gender “promotion of gender equity and political won women the respect of everyone. equality is within reach. participation of women in Niger” has also In Niger, one of Africa’s poorest coun- provided training for male elected public of- tries, the women elected representatives of ficials. Training has covered the gender ap- the current political term have been very se- proach, and gender-sensitive planning and riously affected by the humanitarian emer- budgeting. It has also contributed to improv- gency situation, food shortages, floods and

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: Josephine Odera | [email protected] 20 UN WOMEN changing lives in Africa | 2012

Weaving for a Better Life –“Agaseke” Changes the Lives of 2,000 Women in Rwanda

s a widow, I didn’t know what to do to raise my six children” said “ an Agaseke basket weaver at the Kabuga production site in Rwan- en Wom UN s : P h oto da, “but now, I can pay school fees for my chil- drenA and contribute to the mutual health insurance”. Agaseke is a unique and highly valued traditional bas- ket in the Rwandan culture. It is primarily woven by women and symbolizes the keeping of secrets of households. These baskets are used as gifts to girls getting married as a sym- bol of purity and virginity. The baskets are also used in house- holds as food plates and con- tainers for dry food products. The Agaseke is a symbol of generosity, gratitude, and compassion. Whether transporting wedding gifts, offer- ings to the priests, or bringing food to a friend in need, the process of giving is always the common thread. After the 1994 genocide in Rwanda in which some 800,000 people perished, Agas- eke weaving was used as a symbol to pro- mote peace, unity and love among women of different ethnic groups. As so many men were killed, many women were left as widows. Per- petrators were also in most of cases men and were sent to prison for their crimes after the genocide. As part of a healing process, wom- en from the two groups (survivors and perpe- These baskets signify hope and bounty for the future. Women would weave baskets after completing their work in the fields. trators) sat together in a common place to weave the Agaseke products and used the ing. In addition young girls are more and more gali through Agaseke basket weaving. As a opportunity for healing and reconciliation. enrolling in formal education and this leaves joint programme the main partners of the In the ancient times, weaving was a hob- the culture of weaving to the informal sector. initiative are UNDP, UNFPA, WFP, UNIDO, ILO, by and done in the afternoons by mothers af- In order to strengthen the income of FAO, UNESCO, while UN Women plays the ter field work. They also taught their daugh- more than 2,000 poor and vulnerable wom- ters how to weave Agaseke products from an en, the UN joint Agaseke programme was early age. Today, women are more engaged in established in 2010, in collaboration with other economic activities which don’t allow City of Kigali to support the socio-economic them additional time for the traditional weav- empowerment of women in the City of Ki-

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: clara anyangwe | [email protected] 21 role of lead agency. The results of the joint programme are tangible. Today, 2,000 vulnerable and poor women of Kigali have their own bank accounts en Wom UN s : P h oto or have been organized into functional coop- eratives to enhance access to financial servic- es. They have also improved their marketing skills and now sell their products to local and international markets, including the USA and Japan. Furthermore, the women participate in international trade fairs and local study tours and therefore have greater exposure of their products in and outside of Rwanda. Besides enhanced knowledge of benefi- ciaries in cooperative management, entre- preneurship, finance and saving schemes, participating women also improved their life skills, including kitchen gardening as well as knowledge on SGBV, HIV/AIDS and Reproduc- tive Health issues. Baskets are gifts given before a wedding as a blessing and best wishes. Rwandan baskets like these The next phase of the project will lay are seen all over Africa and in many parts of the world. emphasis on improving production and di- versification of products. Due to the pro- of creating wealth. The ‘culture of weaving’ is gramme’s success the Agasekes were show- highly valued in Rwanda, these are reasons About the cased at the annual conference on Delivering why there are plans to upscale the project to as One held in Montevideo, Uruguay, from 8 the districts. Even though older women were Programme: to 10 November 2011. involved in weaving in the past, now a great- UN Women’s goal is to support the Women in the informal sector will con- er number of younger women are joining the socio-economic empowerment of tinue to value weaving in Rwanda as a means weaving cooperatives. women in the City of Kigali through basket weaving (Agaseke). In order to strengthen the income of more than 2,000 poor and vulnerable women, the UN joint programme “Agaseke” en Wom UN s : P h oto was initiated in 2010 by the UN in Rwanda in collaboration with City of Kigali. The main UN collaborating partners include; UNDP, UNFPA, WFP, UNIDO, ILO, FAO, UNESCO and UN Women (the lead agency. Other stakeholders for the Agaseke are Imbuto Foundation (First Lady’s Office), Rwanda Development Board and the Ministry of Trade.

Women gather to weave in the traditional Rwandan method. Once weaving was done by all women but times have changed and few were learning the craft, until this program rejuvenated the skill.

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: clara anyangwe | [email protected] 22 UN WOMEN changing lives in Africa | 2012

Following Elections, Proportion of Women in Parliament almost Doubles in Senegal

m en Assembly to affirm their support for the law. O The law was voted in on that day but then needed a decree to be put into force. oto: UN W UN P h oto: In June 2011, UN Women supported the Ministry of Gender to organize an interna- tional conference as part of the process towards ensuring that the law would enter into force before the elections of 2012. The then president Abdoulaye Wade issued a decree enforcing the parity law on 16 June, 2011, the day before the start of the confer- ence. In support of increased participation of women, UN Women provided technical and financial support to the new Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Children and Women’s Entrepreneurship to organize training for about 300 women on the electoral lists in preparation for the July 2012 parliamentary President in the Women’s Situation Room. elections. This training was held in May-June enegal has made great strides in that dates to 2008 when UN Women sup- 2012. The women were from all political par- equal participation for women in ported the draft legislation committee, as ties. They in turn participated in the public politics. Now nearly 45 percent of well as the Senegalese Council of Women awareness campaign run in fourteen re- the seats in parliament are occupied (COSEF), which is a coalition of women from gions in Senegal. by women. There are a total of 150 seats and the country’s various political parties and “It’s a good idea to bolster female capac- S64 are held by women. These impressive women researchers advocating the law’s ity-building before they go out in the field, results are a result of a conducive legal passage. “This is the end of a long and hard and before they start the election campaign,” framework coupled with multiple strategies fight, taken up over several generations. The explains Coura Ndiaye, a leading candidate for engaging women in elections. road has been long, the fight must continue for a political party for parliamentary elec- A law was passed on May 28, 2010 call- and there is no doubt in my mind that we will tions in the Department of Thiès, who ing for equal distribution of seats in parlia- succeed,” said Fatou Sarr Sow, gender expert trained on the electoral process and cam- ment. This law on parity is seen as a major and President of Senegal’s Caucus of Female paign techniques. “Women must be better step forward in women’s political participa- Leaders, a women’s organization established equipped in order to acquire the skills to be tion in the country. This legislation is aimed to push for the adoption of the law. able to represent their peers in the National at securing full equal representation in all From 2009 to 2010, collaborating with Assembly.” elective and semi-elected bodies and at all COSEF and the ministry responsible for In March when the presidential elections levels, national, regional or local. The elec- women’s Affairs, UN Women supported a were held, UN Women then supported the toral law provides a mandatory requirement large-scale public awareness initiative to ex- launching of a Women’s Platform for Peace- that all candidate lists for legislative, re- plain the parity law and get greater support. ful Elections, to advocate for peaceful and gional, municipal and rural elections be On 28 May, 2010, the day when the law was comprised of an equal number of male and to be voted on in the National Assembly, female candidates, presented on the list in women from all 14 who an alternating order. had been mobilized through the campaign, This legislation is the result of a process dressed in white, and came to the National

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact Josephine Odera | [email protected] 23

President Macky Sall with Dr. Josephine Odera (UN Women Re- gional Programme Director W.A.)

other countries holding elec- tions in the coming year. In Senegal, the Situation Room was coordinated by Femmes Africa Solidarité, and brought together national and inter- national Non-Governmental Organizations focused on pro- moting women’s rights, peace building, and ending violence against women and girls. Supported by UN Women, the United Nations Develop- ment Programme, and with the participation of United Na- tions Educational, Scientific m en

O and Cultural Organization and the Office of the High Com- missioner of Human Rights, oto: UN W UN P h oto: the Women’s Platform trained transparent elections, mobilize women to and deployed 50 women leaders from Sene- vote and sensitize officials on participation gal and neighboring countries to act as ob- of women in particular situations (pregnant About the servers during the first and second rounds of women, women with children, handicapped Programme: the presidential elections, held on 26 Febru- women). Initiated by Liberian women in their ary and 25 March. In accordance with Secu- The Senegal Country Programme aims elections of 2011 as a mechanism for con- rity Council Resolution 1325 and its related to support the consolidation of gender flict prevention and mediation, the platform resolutions on Women, Peace and Security, equality commitments at national has enabled female leaders to join and orga- the Platform aims to ensure the active par- and local levels through active support nize observer missions during the electoral ticipation of women and girls in peaceful, to government and civil society. The process, using a gender-based approach. democratic electoral processes. actions focus on 4 development The platform is also known as the “Situation Other women leaders from Senegal and strategic areas namely: support the Room”. The Situation Room is now being across the continent who were part of the implementation and awareness- duplicated in Sierra Leone where to date it platform for peace, (Guinea, Mauritania, Mali, raising of the parity law in Senegal; has the greatest reach and buy in. The Situ- Liberia, Kenya, Uganda, Burkina Faso and improving the working conditions ation Room is expected to be duplicated in more) expressed the hope that the new of women in agriculture, fishing and president would implement the parity law food processing in Senegal; support m en enacted in May 2011 and deals with gender O awareness-raising and capacity inequalities legally and institutionally. In an among government, civil society ensuing lively debate, President Sall affirmed

oto: UN W UN P h oto: and women on the need to reform his commitment to the parity law. “I will not the existing law on GBV and provide reverse the gains”, he assured. services to victims of GBV; and support the tracking of the implementation of the PRSPs and strengthen the capacity of the ministries and local President Obansanjo and Binta DIOP of FAS communities to carry out GRB. (Women’s Situation room) during Senegalese Presidential elections.

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact Josephine Odera | [email protected] 24 UN WOMEN changing lives in Africa | 2012

Rural Grandmothers Graduate as “Barefoot Solar Engineers” Transforming the Lives of Over 200 Households in Remote Tanzania a der e y R oto: Les l e P h oto:

The six Tanzanian solar engineers with their consignment of solar equipment. (From left) Esha Mohamed Mwanga, Sofia Hamisi Mnandi, Amina Hassani Nachingulu, Fatima Mohamed Mzungu, Mariam Issa Luwongo and Arafa Mwamba Halfani.

ix women from three remote villages lighting units and assume responsibility for village are now illuminated by solar power. in Mtwara and Lindi districts in south- repair and maintenance for a minimum of Villagers pay for their equipment in install- ern Tanzania have helped to change five years. The “Barefoot Solar Engineers” play ments over five years and receive one 20 watt the lives of their communities after a key role in sustaining and replicating solar solar panel, one 12 volt battery, one charger training as “barefoot solar engineers”. technology in rural communities. and three nine watt lamps for each house- S Today, women in these remote villages These women are role models for youth hold. The women are now working to com- can cook at night with the aide of solar lamp as well as the elderly. “My mother used to just plete the electrification of the two other vil- light while their children do homework in the be at home, now she has come back and is an lages. They are paid a monthly stipend of evenings. Even safety has improved due to engineer and a leader. She is on the Village 60,000 shillings for their work. The stipends the work from this group of mothers and Committee. When I grow up I will also be a and costs for maintenance are paid from a grandmothers. leader. Maybe I will be President,” said a 10- community savings scheme, whereby all the The women were sent to the Barefoot year old girl from the Chekeleni village. households which signed up to the initiative College in Tilonia India, for training on solar Despite being illiterate, of modest means pay a total of 60,000 shillings per year. electricity installation and maintenance as and having never travelled outside Tanzania Two women from Nitekel in Mtwara Dis part of the UN Women-Barefoot College India before, the first six engineers within weeks of “Rural Women Light up Africa” initiative. After returning home had managed to start set- six months, the trainees graduate as “Barefoot ting up a solar electricity system for the three Solar Engineers”. They then return to their small villages of Chekeleni, Nitekela and Mk- villages, electrify households with solar wajuni. Already, 69 households in Chekeleni

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: Anna Collins-Falk | [email protected] 25 trict were sent for train- a der e ing. Now 56 out of 120 y R About the households have been equipped for solar power. Programme: oto: Les l e P h oto: The community is open- The Barefoot College of India ing a bank account to (founded by Bunker Roy in 2004) keep dues collected so has been training rural women, they can be used to pur- mainly grandmothers, from Africa to chase or replace spare become “barefoot solar engineers”. parts for the solar sys- UN Women and Barefoot College tem. In this community of India entered into a partnership alone, women’s voices in 2011 to upscale and expand this have increased as three initiative within the framework of the seven members of of the Africa Rural Women’s the Energy Committee Programme. As a result, 25 rural are women and the com- illiterate women from four countries mittee chair is a woman. namely, Liberia (8), South Sudan (9), “We would like to Tanzania (6) and Uganda (2) went to Members of Mjimwema’s Village Energy Committee demonstrate thank UN Women, the their rural workshop is up and running. India for a 6 month training in the ministry and the govern- installation and maintenance of solar ment of India for their support and we hope There are tangible benefits of the solar panels and its systems to electrify this will be a challenge to other women who programme to the community as a whole. their own homes and villages. The want changes and want to eradicate pov- There are savings from the cost of kerosene - women went to India in September erty,” said Luwongo Dafa upon completion 5,000 shillings on solar power compared to 2011 and returned to their countries of her studies. Trainee Arafa Halfani, said 6,000 shillings a month on kerosene; charg- in March 2012. The initiative is they were happy with the new skills and ing cell phones - 300 shillings per cell phone implemented with support from the they would use them to help communities charge in the market compared to 200 shil- Government of India and in close around them. lings with solar power. Health and safety partnership and collaboration of the Even skeptics have been won over. In hazards are reduced because highly flamma- respective governments – particularly one of the villages at an initial meeting when ble kerosene is no longer needed. the Ministries of Women’s the idea of the solar engineers was intro- Well-lit places provide extra security and Affairs, Ministries of Community duced, one elder, a man, was vocal in his most member households have a light bulb Development and the Ministries doubts that these women could do the at their door, which serves as a street lamp of Energy. UN Women contributed job. Several months later, he sought out UN for passersby and may help in the reduction a total of US$450,000.00 to this Women and said the women engineers had of violence in general and violence against initiative. installed solar equipment in his house and women and girls in particular. they had even repaired a subsequent prob- The sustainability of the initiative is not lem. He was effusive in question either. The Folk-Development sign up for the programme. Households are

a der willing to pay membership fees as they have e in his support of UN College in the nearby town of Mtawanya y R Women and the pro- has now agreed to fund and set up a solar seen the results of the project and a change gramme in general. energy training center. The original six in their community for the better. For new “solar engineers” like Luwongo and Arafa

oto: Les l e P h oto: He said he was bene- women trained at Barefoot College head- fitting from a much quarters will train new students on the skills who had nothing, solar power has provided better life through that they acquired in India. If successful, the a new beginning, a place in the community the training of these establishment of this college will allow for and a much brighter future. women. the Ministry of Community Development to roll out this initiative in other regions of Solar engineer Arafa Mwamba Halfani from Tanzania. Chekeleni checking Observers say this is a very popular ini- one of her solar installations. tiative and many more people would like to

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: Anna Collins-Falk | [email protected] 26 UN WOMEN changing lives in Africa | 2012 Zimbabwean Women Police Make Strides as Members of the ‘Blue Berets’ – Bringing a New Culture of Leadership to Peace-Keeping Missions a de ia M i c r oto: Pat P h oto:

(left to right): Superintendent Sithulisiwe Mthimkhulu, Superintendent Rosina Mamutse, Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, Superintendent Jessie Banda, Superintendent Kani Moyo, Assistant Inspector Muchaneta Isabell Ngwenya.

hen Superintendent Kani the peacekeepers from the Zimbabwe police cultural learning about policies and other Moyo joined the UN Peace- are women. issues,” said Superintendent Jessie Banda keeping Mission in Darfur, Some of the most positive developments who served as a Communications Officer for Sudan, her dream of one day of the past 10 years include an increase in the a year in Kosovo and as a Community Policing putting on a blue beret came true. “I have number of women serving as UN Peacekeep- Officer for 15 months in Darfur. Wbeen on the Zimbabwean Police Force for 31 ers and in all-women police peacekeeping Assistant Police Commissioner Charity years and I work in the Victim Friendly Unit units, more training for soldiers on gender Charamba, who served for three years in as a gender trainer. I’ve always wanted to be issues and sexual violence against women Liberia, says working internationally gives one of the blue berets and my dream came and increased numbers of women in national the women blue berets the chance to see true,” said Moyo who served for 15 months as parliaments. different types of police practice and to share a Gender Police Advisor and Officer in Charge A total of 189 female police officers out of experiences. of Training in Nyala with the African Union/ 1,063 officers from the Zimbabwe police have Charamba also recalled that being the United Nations Hybrid peacekeeping opera- taken part in eight peacekeeping missions third highest ranking official in the mission tion in Darfur known as UNAMID. worldwide. The first woman went on mission in Liberia had its gender challenges. “I had to Zimbabwe is one of the few countries to East Timor in 2000, seven years after the assert myself, because at first the male in Africa where the number of female peace- police began participating in peacekeeping. keepers from a police meets the United Na- “I look at the United Nations as an tions Department of Peacekeeping Opera- organization that unites people. I learned a tions recommendation of at least 10 per cent lot from the police officers I worked with on female representation. Eighteen per cent of missions and there has been a lot of cross-

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: Hodan Addou | [email protected] 27 colleagues, both at the senior and lower ranks, a de treated me as if I did not know my duties and ia M i c at times, did not acknowledge my presence,” r About the she said. She told of one instance when she Programme: asked a lower ranking officer for information. oto: Pat P h oto: Instead of the details being sent to her, they UN Women Zimbabwe in 2012 were sent to her superior. “Over time, as I introduced the area of Gender and carried out my duties, there was a gradual Peace as one of its strategic thematic process of respect,” she said. areas of work. Building on existing She noted in Zimbabwe women are encouraged to advance within the force, initiatives and in collaboration but this is often not the case in many of the with Zimbabwean institutions and countries where the blue berets serve. organizations, UN Women’s aim is “In Darfur, Sudan, before independence, to encourage dialogue and to help the local people looked at you as if you were foster gender equality, sustainable different, because you are a woman in uniform. development and peace. UN Women’s Also, being a Muslim country, the local male key objectives in Zimbabwe are the police officers did not take it lightly receiving orders from a woman,” said Superintendent prevention and adequate response Sithulisiwe Mthimkhulu, who has been on to sexual and gender-based violence, peacekeeping missions in Sudan and Liberia. female participation at all levels of A majority of the female police peace- Superintendent Kani Moyo. decision-making, gender sensitive keepers from around the world want to serve peace building and supporting non- in major cities and rarely opt for postings in tions (DPKO) has been instrumental in pro- discriminatory practices. rural areas because they prefer a stable infra- viding training to the peace keepers prior to structure to live in. Zimbabwean blue berets their deployment. These peacekeepers noted UN Women also supports the Group are different as they come from all over the that their pre-deployment training prepared countryside and are used to rural living, said them well for their mission and included of 20 in Zimbabwe - well known Charamba. training and mentoring of local police offi- women public figures forming a UN Women in close partnership with cers, community and gender policy, criminal coalition looking at the draft new the Department of Peace Keeping Opera- investigations advisers, investigating and constitution and lobbying for gender providing counseling to rape survivors. equality and the empowerment of

a de One area they said they need more train- women throughout the country. ia M ing in is information and communications i c r technology for preparing reports and power The group’s principles range from point presentations. Learning more about the the need to better protect women’s

oto: Pat P h oto: laws, especially gender based violence laws, socio-economic rights and right to and cultures of the countries where they are security, to strengthening affirmative sent would enhance their preparedness in action. The principles also call for the field. better access to resources through But these peacekeepers are still wives and mothers and must find ways to balance gender-sensitive public financing, their duties in the field on mission and their and for a legislated quota of 50/50 roles back at home. “You are still at home, even representation of women in all while on mission. The family responsibilities, decision-making. funerals, it all follows you to the field. I was in a meeting once when I got the news of the death of a relative who was very close to me. I had to focus and continue with the meeting and cried alone later. It is not easy. Things happen and maintaining the balance is hard,” Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba. said Charamba.

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact: Hodan Addou | [email protected] 28 UN WOMEN changing lives in Africa | 2012

Binga Women Venture into the Non-Traditional Fishing Industry – Thanks to the First Women’s Savings and Credit Union of Zimbabwe a de a de - Pat M m en - Pat O . M ia A . i c r oto: UN W UN P h oto: oto: Pat P h oto:

Women members of the kapenta fishing rig production unit - Sophie Mwiinde, chair of the Production Unit far right - bringing a 30 kg bag of kapenta to the launch of the bank to formally thank UN Women for its investments in women in the area.

ofia Mwiinde, knows first-hand what what it means to work as a team to produce Binga in mid-July 2012. It was officially inau- it means to move from having al- something,” Mwiinde said. gurated in October 2012. WDSCU has 14 banks most no income to earning enough Her next ambition is to learn how to across the country and while this is the sec- money to take care of her family’s drive, and as one of the newest shareholder ond largest bank in Zimbabwe’s Matebele- basic needs. She is the chairperson of the members of the first Women’s Bank to open land Province, it is the first in a rural area of Sproduction unit on the first all-female fish- in Binga, Mwiinde has several business ideas the province. UN Women provided a grant for ing rig in Binga, Matabeleland Province of bubbling. “We are very grateful for what UN the start up of the bank in Binga. Zimbabwe. Women did in supporting the fishing rig and The bank has provided 126 loans on aver- In a little over a year’s time, the single now the opening of a bank that provides age of about US$250 since opening, and ac- mother of two has seen her income of loans for women in Binga,” said Mwiinde cording to WDSCU’s director Sphiwe Gudza, almost nothing as a fish trader in the who acquired micro-financing from the the re-payment rate in Binga is 97 per cent. Siachilaba fish market increase to US$100- bank to operate a stall in a flea market to “The women repay in three monthly instal- US$200 a month. She is one of the first 10 earn additional income. “I feel important and ments and we have had a big impact here. women on a kapenta (small fish) fishing rig successful.” provided with the support of UN Women. With support from UN Women, the “I have managed to pay school fees for ZUBO/ Basilizwi Trust and the Women in De- my children; learned how to budget, some- velopment Savings and Credit Union (WD- thing I knew nothing about; and I’ve learned SCU), opened the first bank for women in

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact Hodan Addou | [email protected] 29 have assisted women who had no capital for a de They have since been working to scale up the their projects, who have now managed to venture in Binga, one of the country’s least stock their small businesses, start poultry and developed districts, so that it can sustain - Pat M m en - Pat goat projects and improve their fish trading,” O them and their families, as well as create Gudza said. The women on the kapenta fish- opportunities for other women in the area.

ing rig have a group account at the new bank, W UN P h oto: This is the first time since the 1950s and they also access loans as individuals to that women from their ethnic group have supplement their income through individual been able to fish at all. Although it was tra- projects. ditionally Tonga women who fished, using There are 475 members of the bank and traditional Zubo baskets, aspects of their 371 are shareholders. Women become share- matrilineal culture changed when the group holders by paying US$30 dollars more than UN Women’s Senior Adviser for Women’s were displaced by the construction of the Economic Empowerment receiving the 30kg the US$10 joining fee. Since it started, the bag of kapenta from one of the fishing rig Kariba Dam during the colonial era. Their members during the ceremony for the launch bank has built a financial base of US$4625 of the women’s bank. access to resources reduced, and their par- from membership and shareholder fees. ticipation in community fishing ended. “The bank is based on the cooperative- es. “I had few stocks in my shop, but now it is The Zubo Basilizwi Trust, a women- banking model, which serves only members well stocked since I got a loan from the focused development organization, secured and shareholders. Women who are share- bank,” said Ezra Munkuli. “This bank can the fishing rig for the women traders in holders own a stake of the cooperative and compete with the big banks and it will grow Siachilaba, supported by UN Women. De- they can participate in decisions through the step-by-step.” signed with women in mind, it has toilets local board. If we have a surplus at the end of Jessie Mudimba, who dropped out of and showering facilities, includes special the year, then we share this among the share- secondary school, said she has tried her hand technology such as a fish locator, and is holders,” Gudza explained. at sewing and other ventures to make ends slightly larger than those on most other rigs In Binga, where 58 per cent of the house- meet. She took a loan from the bank to open to provide more stability on the river. holds are female-headed, the bank is provid- a small supermarket and says now, “Some ing women with the means to take care of men wish they could marry me because of their families and make choices that will help what I own.” About the them to become economically empowered. The women, from the Tonga ethnic At the launch of the Women’s Bank in Binga group, formally entered the male-dominated Programme: in October 2012, women told how they strug- fishing industry in 2010 after being provided Since 2009, UN Women has been gled to find financing to start small business- with the rig, equipment and skills training. the fund manager for the Gender Support Project (GSP), a multi-donor

a de fund aimed at strengthening the coordination of approaches and

- Pat M m en - Pat efforts by women’s organizations O to engage in national development policies and programs. Over the years, oto: UN W UN P h oto: the GSP has directly funded over 100 civil society organizations working in rural and peri-urban areas to improve access to social services for survivors of violence, to enhance women’s economic empowerment and to strengthen women’s leadership skills.

The new bank just before the ribbon was cut on Oct 11, 2012.

Edited by letty chiwara | [email protected] For More Information Contact Hodan Addou | [email protected] 30