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In June 2011, Equal Exchange Quality Control Manager Beth Ann Caspersen led a series of projects to raise money for a women's empowerment project at Gumutindo to support the participation of women in the co-op structure, create more income generation, and empower the women through training.
Ugandan Women's Empowerment Project
By Beth Ann Caspersen, Quality Control Manager
Uganda is known to many as the Pearl of Africa, for its beautiful landscape, stunning mountains and the birthplace of the historic Nile River; however, I believe the true pearls of Uganda are the beautiful and strong women that make up this complex society.
I commonly talk about the important role that women play in coffee production, but Uganda is different. Women struggle to meet the basic needs within their own homes and many lack the skills, education and training to progress. Polygamy is common, especially in rural areas, which
brings other complexities to the women's lives. A few of the women in communities in which we buy coffee are working to overcome the obstacles they face as wives, mothers and small coffee farmers. These women are leading by example; working to show other women in their own and neighboring communities what is possible, and showing the next generation what a rural women's movement in Uganda can be. I can see the strength and support that is coming from the women themselves, and that’s really exciting.
During my recent trip to visit Gumutindo, I had the opportunity to sit down with a few leaders from two of the women’s groups, to discuss the work and progress they hope to make in the coming year. It was clear to me—very early on in the conversation—that the Gumutindo women are changing. They are on the move, organizing meetings, creating theater groups and supporting each other through the social and cultural challenges within their polygamous society. There has been an increase in the number of women that have become fully active members of the Gumutindo co-operative, women sit on the board of directors, and they hope for more; change is in the air. I was able to spend time with Jennipher, a farmer from Nasufwa, Joan Kabayambi, an employee of Gumutindo, and Oliva, a farmer from Buginyanya.
Jennipher and Oliva both sit on the Gumutindo Board of Directors and are strong advocates for the women's groups that they have created within their primary societies. They shared some of their personal challenges during our impromptu meeting; challenges that went beyond coffee cultivation; they opened up about the reality of women in Uganda. Jennipher shared how much she relied on the women’s group after her husband passed away at the end of 2010: "Had I been alone, I would have been in a bad position," Jennipher said. "Talking with [the women] is so good. They give me advice, counsel me. It's social support."
She also described the difference she's seen in the women since they began joining the co-op: "Before [becoming members of the co-op], women would not stand up and talk in public. Now they participate in discussions in meetings. They propose. They oppose.” We also talked about hygiene, family nutrition, and their selfless attitude in putting their children first and putting themselves last.
It was an emotional experience. As our conversation progressed, it was clear that they really wanted to figure out how to improve their lives, to support their families and learn the skills they needed to create happy and healthy futures within their own community. They hoped to be empowered to make that change happen. It was an inspirational discussion that prompted me to encourage them to put their hopes and aspirations into writing. Upon returning from the
trip, I was thrilled, however not surprised, when I received an extensive proposal from the women to provide basic training for all three primary societies where Equal Exchange buys our
coffee.
The proposal requested funding to train 274 women in health and nutrition, entrepreneurship skills, vocational training and environmental conservation. I was so impressed with their proposal because it was so clear and seemed to be the beginning of something bigger. I felt like I was watching things change; that a groundswell of activity was beginning, that these women will move and shape the way Ugandan women live, and that we can take part in the process. We are supporting them as they cultivate a women's movement, and our monetary contribution toward training will educate and encourage the next generation of women to make change.
Here is what they have proposed and how we hope to raise the necessary funding to support the project.
The Project
To empower women in coffee production to be change agents who will create family and community development, based on knowledge and skills, in Buginyanya, Nasufwa
and Bumayoga co-operative societies in 2011. The focus will be on training women, but we feel it is very important to invite their husbands to participate in two of the trainings which affect the family and the home: entrepreneurship skills and health/nutrition. These are the four training areas:
Entrepreneurship Skills (men and women)
Training will focus on how to revive their existing coffee business, in order to engage in other income-generating activities which will include poultry keeping for eggs and meat, and cow and/or goat rearing, which helps the family earn money from milk and provision of manure from their droppings.
Family Health - Hygiene and Nutrition (men and women)
Training will include topics like family planning, hygiene and nutrition, and also educating participants about the importance of seeking professional care to avoid complications of some diseases like HIV.
Vocational Skills (women)
Women will be trained in vocational skills like handcraft making, cookery, knitting and baking.
Environment Conservation (women)
Teach women how to build environmentally friendly stoves and reduce the use of wood
stoves.
Fundraising Efforts for the Project
Our first-ever fundraiser to be held at the Equal Exchange Café in Boston included a silent auction, the sale of Ugandan coffee, and the sale of bracelets from BeadforLife. Through this event we were able to raise almost $3,000. Thanks to the kind and generous donations of many artists, stores, and retailers—all friends and allies—we are able to provide Gumutindo with the money needed to begin some of these trainings in the coming months. Stay tuned.
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