The GREAT Inititiative - Gender Right & Equality Trust

Update from Liberia’s Virtuous Women Co-operative

Liberia’s economy is beginning to grow again after 14 years of civil war ravaged the country. However, this growth is far from benefiting everyone equally: 80 per cent of women are unemployed and therefore economically reliant on men. With no financial independence, their social status within communities is low and many are subjected to domestic and sexual violence – rape and domestic abuse are the most frequently reported serious crimes in the country. With no means to support themselves, they are unable to escape. Oxfam is working to provide long term economic security for these women and bring about change in the society’s attitude towards them.

The project works with two women’s co-operatives that Oxfam helped to establish in 2008. The Virtuous Women Co-operative, which the GREAT Initiative delegation visited in March 2011, includes a group of tailors and craftswomen from the slums of Monrovia.

The co-operative is now implementing the project directly - and Oxfam is providing the co-operatives with equipment and technical training, so that they can build and sustain viable businesses. Oxfam is also providing training in financial management, HIV and AIDS prevention, and encouraging women to stand up for their civil rights.

During our launch event in May 2011, we decided to raise money for this amazing project and we are delighted that our donation helped Oxfam underwrite different costs:

• Provide the co-operative’s tailoring centre with 33 industrial machines for mass production of large orders.

They will be delivered to the Centre in December. Last year, a brand new tailoring centre was built for the Virtuous Women Co-Operative. As they now own the facilities, the women are no longer subjected to escalating rent rates in Monrovia and they have more space to welcome new members. The popularity of the co-operative’s products means that new industrial tailoring machines are now being purchased for this centre to meet demand for mass production. Members of the co-operative submitted a list of items the factory needed and the equipment is being purchased now. These items range from industrial cutting and pressing machines to threads, needles and twine. This new equipment will allow the co-operative to expand production and they are already discussing potential contracts with local schools and security firms for uniforms. Expansion will provide increased income for current members and the potential for more vulnerable women to join.

• Continue training all 100 members in marketing and business development through two main sessions plus monthly coaching and mentoring.

Oxfam staff are providing weekly coaching and mentoring to all co-operative members. The two training sessions in marketing and business development are planned for December. The training will help women to develop simple business plans and give them access to business partners, to help increase the profitability of their enterprises. Co-operative members are already receiving weekly training from Oxfam staff in time management, planning and communications.

A few stories:

• Marian Von

Marion is learning tailoring with the new head of technical design says: “I am 30 years old. I am a mother of one boy and two girls, and live in West point, Monrovia. I am a seamstress working in Virtuous women factory in Vai town. From the six months training received in advance tailoring provided by Oxfam, I have improved my knowledge a lot in quality control, and how to work in a factory and I am now employed as one of the seamstresses sewing in the factory where I am earning some income to pay my rent and send my children to school.”

• Theresa Sokan

Theresa, 41, lives in Liberia’s capital, Monrovia, with her three children. Like many other women, 14 years of civil war had a huge effect on her and her family. ”Life was hard, especially after the war, which forced many people to move to the towns and cities. We faced so many problems. Education is expensive and there were very few opportunities to make a living. There was often not even enough money for food and we were getting sick a lot.”

However, things began to look up when Theresa was chosen to become a member of the Virtuous Women Co-operative. Along with 40 others, she was taught tailoring and business skills and received her own sewing machine once she completed the course so she could finally begin to earn a living.

Theresa has started to produce school uniforms and her first order alone earned her 1,500 Liberian dollars [around £13]. As her business increases she will be able to afford enough food, healthcare and an education for her children. Other women from the course are also earning a living, either in the Virtuous Women factory or in individual businesses. Theresa believes that this economic freedom and the confidence that it brings has liberated many women and help some escape violence in the home.

“If this project was not initiated, many women could still be vulnerable to domestic abuse as they would still be dependent on their families’ limited income. We are looking forward to training many girls who are willing to learn tailoring so that they can have the same freedom.”

• Irene Dixie

Irene is the head of the Virtuous Women Co-operative, whom we have met in March: “There are so many orders that we are thinking about a two-shift system to handle the workload. Many women are waiting to join and are on standby in case more contracts come in. We are the first women’s group to have started making uniforms and we also make fashion items.”