Report Market Assessment for Protection of Women Through Empowerment and Response (POWER) Project Funded by USAID
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Report Market Assessment For Protection of Women through Empowerment and Response (POWER) Project Funded by USAID INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE –SIERRA LEONE PROGRAM 35 FRAZER STREET, OFF WILKINSON RD, FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE | RESCUE.ORG Photo Credit: Simon Olagai, August 2019, Think Africa Institute®: Paniga Community, Simbaru Chiefdom A Think Africa Institute (SM) Product This study is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of the International Rescue Committee and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. Compilation Tsike-Sossah, S.E – Lead Consultant IRC-Sierra Leone – POWER Project Market Assessment – Final Report| Think Africa Institute Page 2 Olagai, S – Field Lead Pometsey, R – Data Analyst Executive Summary The IRC Market Assessment Survey is the outcome of research commissioned by IRC – Sierra Leone Programme office conducted by Think Africa Institute (TAI). The project, “Protection of Women through Empowerment and Response (POWER), is funded by the USAID. POWER seeks to “empower women and girls to pursue their potential, free from violence and inequality”. The POWER project hinges on three pillars—economic empowerment, gender-transformative social engagement and GBV response—to comprehensively address the barriers to women’s safety and empowerment in Sierra Leone. TAI collected and analysed data from 750 respondents from across 20 communities within 4 chiefdoms in the Kenema district. 55% of the respondents were females while 45% were males. Further, the survey found more women saved through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA), 53% against 34.8 by men. In this report, rice (both local and imported), Gari, Lappa (fabric), transportation (poda- poda/motor bikes), vegetables and fruits were found to be the goods with trading potential. Second-hand clothes (Junks) was also popular among the respondents. Rice (local and imported) was established as the staple food in all the chiefdom; Dodo for example rated it as much as 99.1%. The findings established there exists gaps and opportunities in the communities and markets. The findings show mobile vending services such as sale of call minutes sales and mobile money (MoMo) transfer services are feasible opportunities. Also exciting would be transport businesses that would allow for carting produce to and from the communities. IRC-Sierra Leone – POWER Project Market Assessment – Final Report| Think Africa Institute Page 3 Table of Contents Executive Summary .................................................................................. 3 Introduction and Background ...................................................................... 5 Project Outcomes ............................................................................................. 5 About the Project ..................................................................................... 6 Project Summary and Scope ............................................................................................ 6 Methodology and Tasks .................................................................................................. 7 Summary of Results .......................................................................................... 9 Data Analysis ......................................................................................... 10 Representation by Chiefdom and Community ....................................................... 10 Gender Distribution ........................................................................................ 10 Age Distribution ............................................................................................................11 What are the Popular Goods/Services in the Communities ..............................................11 Products/Services Which Provide the Most Benefits ........................................................12 Savings ..........................................................................................................................12 Goods with Trade(ing) Potential ........................................................................ 16 Value Addition ..............................................................................................................16 Distribution of Products/Services ...................................................................................17 Gaps and Opportunities ............................................................................ 17 Gaps ........................................................................................................... 17 Opportunities ................................................................................................ 18 Conclusion ............................................................................................ 18 Appendices ............................................................................................ 20 Appendix 1: Sample Size Determination .............................................................. 20 Appendix 2 Chiefdoms and Communities for POWER Project ........................................21 Appendix 3: Data Collection Tools .................................................................................22 References .................................................................................................... 23 Figure 1: Chiefdom and Community Representation of Respondents ................................................. 10 Figure 2: Sex Distribution ...................................................................................................................... 10 Figure 3: Age Distribution ..................................................................................................................... 11 Figure 4: Popular Goods/Products/Services ......................................................................................... 12 Figure 5: Products/Services Which Provide the Most Benefit .............................................................. 12 Figure 6: Savings by Gender .................................................................................................................. 13 Figure 7: Savings by Age ........................................................................................................................ 13 Figure 8: Dama Chiefdom Saving Pattern by Sex .................................................................................. 14 IRC-Sierra Leone – POWER Project Market Assessment – Final Report| Think Africa Institute Page 4 Figure 9: Dodo Chiefdom: Saving Pattern by Sex ................................................................................. 14 Figure 10: Niawa Chiefdom Saving Pattern by Sex ............................................................................... 15 Figure 11: Simbaru Chiefdom Saving Pattern by Sex ............................................................................ 15 Figure 12: Goods with Trading Potential across 5 Chiefdoms .............................................................. 16 Figure 13: Who Does the Selling of Products/Services ......................................................................... 17 Introduction and Background Following the signing of the contract for the consultancy services for conducting market assessment on the 9th August 2019, the consultant embarked on the assignments as defined in the Terms of Reference (ToR) and in the scope of work. The assignment started two weeks after signing of the contract. The delay for the start of this work was due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of Think Africa Institute (TAI) and the IRC. This report provides a status report on the progress of the work done so far by the Project Team. The report contains the plan for the comprehensive survey study approach and methodology in conducting a market assessment to analyse the demand and supply sides of potential products to invest. One of the purposes of the survey being to (a) Lead the IRC POWER project team in conducting the aforementioned market study; (b) analyse the characteristics and composition of the labour market in the district; (c) Identify available trade-wise opportunities and suggestions on training requirements as well as provide appropriate recommendation for economic empowerment project. Following initial meetings with IRC POWER Project Team aimed at clarifying the Terms of Reference and the strategy for the implementation of the consultancy, the team proceeded to conduct orientation training of enumerators and preliminary sampling of the project target beneficiaries for the proposed market assessment study. Project Outcomes The project components are grouped into three outcomes: Outcome 1: Women have increased economic resources. Over two years, IRC staff will oversee the self-selection of 40 25-member VSLAs in Kenema district and deliver business skills training to all 1,000 VSLA members. Upon completion of the training, VSLA members will receive individual business grants to launch or expand their enterprises. Outcome 2: Women safely voice their priorities and participate in decisions that affect themselves and their homes. Over two years, IRC staff will conduct the Discussion Group Series (DGS) with all 1,000 VSLA members and their spouses (or other relevant family members). In year one, IRC staff will conduct the Engaging Men through Accountable Practice