Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Transformational
change for women and
their communities
Improving gender relations through
womens collective action
Summary
The shea sector in Mali is fertile ground for womens collective departments have taken advantage of international demand
action (WCA). Shea production, processing and marketing for a higher quality shea product to provide support to
are almost entirely female-dominated activities, and, in the cooperatives for improvements to production and marketing
four villages studied for the WCA research, the shea sector techniques, as well as group capacity and sustainability. In
has always been exclusively female. Furthermore, community the most successful WCA groups studied, these factors,
involvement and different forms of collective action (CA) along with good internal governance, strong leadership,
and solidarity are an age-old tradition in Koutiala cercle1 in and support from men and community authorities, have
Mali, where women have long been accustomed to working enabled the cooperatives to mature to a point where they can
together to undertake a host of group activities, helped by facilitate transformational change in womens lives. Indeed,
recent government policies that support womens engagement the findings from Mali show that in the right conditions, the
in CA groups. active participation of women in CA can empower individual
women, thereby augmenting their decision-making power
Since the late 1990s, formally recognized associations and
and influence within both the household and the community,
cooperatives have emerged out of pre-existing forms of
contributing to lasting changes in gender relations.
community involvement in the area. NGOs and government
1
of extracting the butter, but, as part of these innovations in the
production and marketing of shea, groups are now involved in
the purchase of the kernels, the extraction and preservation of
the butter, and the handling and sale of the final product.
2
Table 1: WCA groups studied
Country Mali
Region Sikasso
District Koutiala cercle
Sector Shea
Existing types of WCA Formal registered cooperatives; umbrella organizations and unions; savings and credit
groups; informal associations
Uyl cooperative
Year begun Rooted in a series of CA groups, 19782004. Established as an association in 2004,
registered as a cooperative in 2009
Type Formal cooperative
Location Kaniko village. Rural setting
Membership 157 women
Production Collective production of improved shea products
Marketing Collective marketing of improved shea products
Shea products Improved shea butter, cream, laundry soap, toilet soap
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Transformational change at the personal, For the WCA groups in Kaniko and NGountjina, these factors,
household and community level along with the success and increasing visibility of the womens
Mamin Sanogo, the Secretary General of Uyl in Kaniko cooperatives, have also contributed to the transformation of
(see p.8), explains that Today, every woman from the gender relations at the community level. Male community
cooperative who is involved in shea butter production says members and authorities in these villages have an improved
that she derives significant revenues from it. Women in the and extremely positive perception of women, and now
CA groups surveyed earn approximately $12 per year more regularly invite WCA members to consultations on community
from traditional butter sales than corresponding producers development. This improvement is also reflected in the
who are not members. Along with the sales of improved shea support which they have given to the womens cooperatives
butter, this means earnings from shea products of 81 per cent in both villages, outlined in more detail below. In Kaniko,
more than women not in groups, translating to an increase the village chief has supported women to such an extent
in profit of $20 per year. The transfer of improved techniques that other men refer to him as the Womens Village Chief,
in shea butter production, processing and marketing to WCA while the village chief in NGountjina explains that Women
members other income-generating activities can mean are capable of undertaking the same activities as men and
that these are also more remunerative. In the most mature that is why I am working with the womens cooperative
cooperatives, Uyl and Jigisme, the entrepreneurial skills and encouraging it in its activities. WCA groups likewise
acquired through engagement in WCA around shea butter contribute to community development, as in Kaniko where
now inform womens activities in various domains. Uyl has given money to the construction of the village
school. This improvement in gender relations can also
Linked to these increases in economic benefits, WCA
bring about greater levels of social cohesion: in Kaniko,
members experience increased levels of empowerment in
the formation of Uyl has helped bring harmony to the
some key decision-making areas. However, this increase
community, which had been experiencing a period of social
in empowerment is also associated with benefits of group
tension following the political changes in the country in the
membership other than income. These include: improved
early 1990s.
self-confidence through group participation and expansion
of social networks; enhanced decision-making ability due to
A positive cooperative and policy
exposure to new ideas and increased knowledge; increased
environment
mobility through attending group meetings; the acquisition
An environment favourable to womens participation in both
of new skills, which can be transferred to household
the shea sector and in CA helped women to develop groups
management; and increased access to credit. Women
which enabled their empowerment. The long-standing
from Uyl, for example, report feeling a greater sense of
autonomy and responsibility as a result of their engagement
in WCA, and now have the confidence to advise each other
on household management. Mamin Sanogo also reports that
100%
womens self-confidence and leadership skills have improved
90%
considerably since joining the cooperative. Overall, across the 80%
27 groups surveyed, women members are significantly more 70%
empowered than non-members in terms of decision-making 60%
power over agricultural incomes, use of credit and freedom of 50%
40%
movement (see Figure 2).
30%
These changes, along with womens increased ability to 20%
10%
contribute to household costs, have positively influenced
0%
relations between husbands and wives, such that women in
Inputs into decisions on production
Access to credit
Freedom of movement
these groups now have more say within the household. The
President of the cotton producers cooperative in NGountjina
explains that the men in the village now believe that Women
are an invaluable help to men when it comes to household
management. So the woman should always be consulted on
important decisions relating to the survival and future of the
family. In Kaniko and Molobala, women members report that
the timings of childrens weddings are no longer set by men
without informing the mothers, as used to be the case, and
women now contribute towards their daughters trousseaus. In Members Non-Members
the three most successful cooperatives studied in-depth, WCA
Figures on the Y axis equate to the share of women reaching adequacy on that indicator. For more
members report that communication and respect between information on the methodology used, visit http://womenscollectiveaction.com/Phase+III
4
The Executive Secretary of Jigism cooperative shows a shea tree in her husbands field. Photo: Edmond Dembele
involvement of women in both shea cultivation and women- and agriculture, and to actively encourage womens
only community solidarity groups in Koutiala means that engagement in the shea sector.
women do not face barriers to their involvement in the
production and marketing of shea. Cooperatives which are run Dynamic leadership and transparent
and managed solely by women and in which women control governance
their own income are therefore entirely socially acceptable. Transparent internal governance, strong leadership and the
The predominance of women-only groups is also beneficial,
support of men and community authorities have added to this
as the absence of men avoids gender inequities being
enabling environment in some of the groups studied, to create
replicated in group dynamics. In all of the groups studied,
more mature groups where members experience a stronger
there was a clear principle of equality in terms of contributions
sense of empowerment. In Uyl and Jigisme cooperatives,
to CA, and access to the benefits and advantages derived
all important decisions are taken collectively in a general or
from it.
board meeting after everyone has expressed their opinion,
Favourable government policies also enable the formation and any decisions taken are implemented immediately.
of strong womens shea cooperatives. Cooperative laws and
Strong yet accountable leadership has likewise been critical
government programmes which began in the late 1990s gave
to these two cooperatives advancement. Uyl and Jigisme
new momentum to the conversion of farmers organizations
into cooperatives, which could gain legitimacy and attract have dynamic women leaders who mobilized members to
more external support by acquiring legal status. Furthermore, start their respective groups and built cohesion within the
cooperative law in Mali clearly states the principle of equitable cooperatives. Both women have benefited from extensive
access to equipment, services and training, as well as training and exposure to wider networks, and have previous
equitable allocation of resources and benefits generated experience of involvement in CA, and these factors have
through the cooperative. The 2006 Agricultural Orientation given them a better understanding of what is important for
Law addressed the issue of gender equity within agricultural group development. Their skills, along with good connections
markets, and the governments technical departments and influence within their communities, have also enabled
alongside NGOs and rural radio have worked to raise them to communicate effectively with community authorities
awareness and educate the rural population concerning the and external actors in order to elicit interest in the groups and
importance of the advancement of women in development secure support for their activities.
5
Individual men and community authorities have also played NGOs have also taken advantage of increasing market
influential roles in the success of these two cooperatives. interest in shea butter from the international cosmetic industry
Women are largely dependent on men for access to essential since the 1990s, and provided support to improve production
resources through land provision, either individually through and marketing methods in the sector. An important factor
husbands, or, for the three most successful groups that in the development of Uyl has been the support it has
have begun to plant their own shea trees, from community received to improve its operations and activities in the value
authorities or well-established producer cooperatives. WCA chain. Production of improved butter requires higher levels of
groups are often also dependent on these structures for other technical knowledge and equipment, and Inter-Coopration
important infrastructure: in NGountjina, the mens cotton Suisse has provided the group with modern equipment,
cooperative has allowed Jigisme to use its new literacy including mills and processing machinery, as well as training
centre for meetings, and, in Kaniko, the Village Council has in their use. It has also trained members in plantation and nut
granted land for the building of Uyls headquarters and gathering methods, and the production of shea butter and soap.
shop. Men also provide access to technical support, as in Likewise, interventions have been vital in improving market
NGountjina where the cotton cooperative used revenues to placement of products for Uyl. Inter-Coopration Suisse
purchase a mill for Jigisme. Furthermore, male community has financed advertising on local radio channels to create
members are strongly supportive of their wives involvement awareness of improved shea butter, which is not a well-
in WCA and even ask other men to encourage their wives known product in the area. To overcome problems in reaching
to join. The cotton cooperative in NGountjina, for example, more distant markets, it provided access to sales outlets
raises the awareness of men whose wives have not yet joined through UFROAT and COFERSA, thereby extending linkages
Jigism, while in Kaniko, the Village Council puts pressure between CA groups and developing marketing skills within
on men to allow their wives to participate in Uyls activities. these organizations. In addition, Inter-Coopration Suisse and
The women therefore enjoy a better quality of engagement, PAFA have funded and facilitated the participation of group
and benefit more fully from their involvement. members in national and international commercial fairs, and
encourage women members to take it in turns to attend trade
Key intervention strategies fairs to ensure equal distribution of skills and experience.
Development actor interventions have improved the It is important to note, however, that like all of the groups
development of groups in ways that bring greater benefits studied Uyl continues to experience significant difficulties in
to WCA members. The most successful group, Uyl, has securing market access for improved shea butter.
received extensive external support. Inter-Coopration
Suisse has provided credit, as well as numerous training Lessons learned and recommendations for
opportunities designed to increase capacity and improve development practitioners
the understanding and control of operational process and
1. Take advantage of favourable market and policy
management of CA. It has also given literacy training to
environments.
improve the groups organizational capacity. In addition,
Practitioners in Mali have built upon existing forms of womens
the NGO has taken measures to ensure that shea butter
community involvement, and taken advantage of a female-
production is sustainable in the face of drought, by supporting
dominated sector, market opportunities within that sector,
Uyl to run a project obtaining land from village authorities
and a cooperative and policy environment in which WCA can
for tree-plantation, as well as funding the planting and
flourish. Through strategic technical and financial support,
maintenance of shea trees.
development actors have expanded members existing skills,
knowledge and experience with WCA and shea production,
and helped to establish more mature CA groups which can
bring about transformational change for women.
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(see Mamin Sanogos story on p.8). While some of these External actors should support groups in gaining greater
qualities are the result of connections and influence within the access to more distant markets, as well as in improving
community, appropriate training and exposure to networks their networks with other cooperatives and unions
can help develop crucial skills for effective, gender-responsive producing improved shea butter elsewhere, nationally or
group leadership. internationally. Targeted training should also be provided to
improve marketing skills, market knowledge and bargaining
Practitioners should focus attention on identifying and
power, which often women either lack or have not yet
fostering gender-responsive leadership, which is essential
developed in a collective context.
both to a groups development and for women to benefit
from group participation. Gender-responsive leadership also
6. Ensure sustainable skill transfer in marketing.
requires incentives and accountability mechanisms, including
The most effective strategies of support in Mali involve
broader group awareness of the responsibilities of leaders, to
the empowerment of women through their umbrella union
minimize the risk of benefits and influence being appropriated
organizations. With Inter-Coopration Suisse, WCA
by particular members or sub-groups.
members plan and execute marketing strategies, and
3. Engage with men and community leaders to communicate directly with other womens groups and
consolidate support. organizations. This strategy has led to a higher degree
Sustained engagement with men can successfully overcome of awareness of the market environment and mutual
their resistance to their wives engagement in CA. It can development of marketing skills. It has also proved more
also facilitate womens involvement in decision-making and effective than PAFAs approach, where a commercial agent
has been employed to find market channels for Jkadis
leadership, and improve support to WCA groups, e.g. through
products, resulting in limited knowledge and skill transfer to
the allocation of land and infrastructure.
WCA members.
Development actor WCA interventions should be designed
Practitioners need to promote an active role for WCA leaders
to ensure committed and continued engagement with
and members in engaging in new market environments in
men. Where men perceive the actual or potential benefits
order to strengthen their capacities sustainably.
for the wider household and community of women in their
households engaging in groups, they are more likely to
facilitate participation and provide support. 7. Safeguarding womens continued engagement in the
sector.
4. Develop specific strategies to enable membership Although the shea sector in Mali is dominated by women,
of marginalized women and address barriers to their particularly at lower levels of the value chain, as market
participation. opportunities expand or where market prices increase, this
Restrictions on time, finances, and access to land and may result in men crowding in and competing with women for
resources are reported to prohibit women, to varying degrees, resources or markets. According to WCA members interviewed
from participating successfully in CA groups. Group members for the research, in some areas more men have begun to
tend to be older, married women, who can pass duties onto collect shea nuts and may gain an advantage in the sector,
daughters-in-law, or younger wives in polygamous households, especially as women usually only collect within a 3km radius
and who therefore have more time to attend meetings and of their village and are restricted by household workloads.
take on leadership roles. Specific membership conditions Development actors can strengthen womens organizations
can prevent certain categories of women from joining groups. and leadership to safeguard against their displacement from
Poverty can also restrict participation: women who are better-off the sector by, for example, protecting their collection rights
have access to a larger number of shea trees in their husbands and supporting increased mobility of women.
fields. Leaders of the WCA groups in Mali tended to be well-
connected women with a higher socio-economic status. 8. Ensure sustainability of the resource base.
Development actors need to design interventions such that Specific interventions in Mali have been adopted to ensure
marginalized women can overcome these barriers. As the tree replanting, including developing shea plantations at
experience in Ethiopia shows, this approach can result in more local level, with land from community authorities; training
inclusive models of change and can support the emergence women in planting techniques; and working with women and
of women leaders from diverse socio-economic groups. communities to ensure the sustainability of shea resources.
Removing restrictions on unmarried womens participation, Development actors need to ensure that the natural
allowing in-kind or labour payments of fees, and linking formal resources on which the sector depends are maintained and
groups with less formal ones, are all possible approaches. renewed and that, in doing so, women retain their rights of
access to and control of these resources.
5. Improve marketing strategies.
Development actors have encouraged WCA shea groups to
Notes
produce higher-quality, improved butter, but the limited local 1 A cercle is the second-level administrative division in Mali.
demand for this product, combined with a lack of access to 2 Ministry for the promotion of Women, Children and the Family (MPFEF) (2003)Stratgie
de renforcement des capacits des femmes dans la filire de karit au Mali.
market networks, affordable transport, and resources to attend 3 S. Baden (2013) Womens collective action in African Agricultural Markets: The missing
international fairs have limited gains from higher value markets. link for empowerment?
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Women in collective action: Mamin Sanogo
Commonly known as Mamouna in her village, 50-year- these reasons that she mobilized the women to organize
old Mamin Sanogo has been key to the development themselves into one association and to train themselves
and success of Uyl cooperative in Kaniko. to produce improved shea butter, which she knew from
her training to be more profitable.
Her education and passion for womens advancement
enabled her to become involved in community Mamounas personal qualities and skills have been
development activities at an early stage. Since the age indispensible to the success of the cooperative. She
of 20 she has acted as a coordinator for numerous is aware that to be a good group leader she has to be
community development groups in her village, including cautious and safeguard the welfare of the group against
those addressing sanitation, prenatal advice, womens personal interests. In 2009, the cooperative earned 1.5
literacy, malaria prevention, and adaptation to drought. million FCFA ($3,000) at a commercial fair in Dakar,
She is now a member of several womens organizations Senegal. The women were keen to divide the revenues
at the regional, national and international levels. between them; Mamouna, however, was firm about the
According to Mamouna, the courses, trips and training group saving the money. Three months later, a local
opportunities which she has benefited from have allowed development agent offered to equip the cooperative with
her not just to have confidence in myself, but to become
an improved shea butter processing unit, and asked the
a campaigner for the promotion of women.
members to contribute 2 million FCFA towards the cost.
Mamouna was instrumental in setting up Uyl womens They used the takings from the commercial fair, and
cooperative in Kaniko and currently acts as its Secretary members provided the remaining 500,000 FCFA. Today, it
General. She recognizes the importance of engaging is this unit which gives the cooperative its best butter and
women in income-generating activities and believes the women are grateful to Mamouna for her foresight.
that womens financial success gives them several
Mamouna has also benefited personally from her
advantages, including better respect from husbands,
involvement in the cooperative. The knowledge gained
better social status in the community, and a strong
during the organization and management of the activities
contribution to social harmony in the village. It was for
around improved shea butter production have allowed her
to diversify her other income-generating activities and to
increase her income. She has now bought a motorbike with
her profits and farms an area of seven hectares on which
she grows maize, peanuts, sesame and beans. Mamouna
feels that she has a good relationship with her husband, who
supports and encourages her. Before owning a motorbike, it
was her husband who transported her between villages so
that she could undertake her various responsibilities.
Front cover: A member of a womens group shows the inside of a shea nut. Photo: Caroline Gluck