I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. Background, Vision, Missions, Strategies a) Background: Women represent 52% of the Rwanda’s population and thus carry significant economic power in the country; however they still require specific measures for their enhanced socio-economic development. In this regard, the Private Sector Federation (PSF) Rwanda, through the chamber of Women Entrepreneurs and Young Entrepreneurs, initiated the Promotion of women entrepreneurship and business growth. In the same perspective, a group of young women entrepreneurs decided to work hand in hand for self empowerment which, in a long run will contribute to the national economic growth in general. It is under this spirit that Promotion of women entrepreneurship and business growth. Purpose Cooperative was founded. b) Vision Become a regional role model in better service delivery as well as having economically and financially powerful members with enough capacity to tackle all sorts of problem that women face. Mission Promoting young women entrepreneurs through the creation of business opportunities by developing a culture of business innovation as a key element for the Cooperative sustainability that lead to alleviation of unemployment among young women graduates.. c) Objectives and Strategies of Purpose Cooperative
Development of self entrepreneurship Economic development of members Contribution to the national development Job creation among young women graduates
To achieve the vision, mission and objectives, Purpose cooperative intends to work closely with the Private Sector Federation especially the Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs by implementing its responsibilities of women promotion. It also counts on building a strong network through development of joint venture with other business oriented bodies being private or public. d) Main program Purpose Cooperative has is its main activities the Agribusiness orientation with the main focus on the “Green Houses” development plus Event management activities and other related services. f) Targeted area and population Initially, we operate in Rwanda but we also plan to expand our activities to East African Community country members and other neighbouring countries g)What are the duties and responsibilities of the President within the Cooperative President of the Executive Committee which has the following responsibilities: • Supervision of the organization’s day to day activities • Advocacy and legal representation of the organisation. • To ensure good management of Purpose Cooperative assets • Report to the General Assembly of the cooperative • Chairing the meeting of both the committee and the general assembly • Keep all cooperative archives including statutes and other legal/official documents • Any other responsibilities as assigned by the General Assembly II. ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN RWANDA 1. Women Economic empowerment situation in Rwanda (Necessity, goals and objectives of the economic empowerment among women) In Rwanda, as argued in the background, women represent more than 50% of the total population. However, their economic contribution is far from covering the same percentage. In this regard, the following trends explain how women need to empowered in order to improve their current status: • 60.2% of households under poverty line are female headed (2005/2006 integrated household living conditions survey, NISR) • 86.3% women (71.2% men) are engaged as laborers and other unskilled workers • Only 14.8% of women earn cash income • Women work more: domestic workload is 3 times more • About 80% of agricultural share of GDP is contributed by women. To address these issues, Rwandan women with support of the government, civil society, NGOs and other supporting institutions initiated various tools to empower themselves. These mechanisms include, among others, grouping into associations and cooperative for mutual support. As result, the economic contribution to the GDP highly increased in 2008. 2. Problems and obstacles to improve the current status Illiteracy of women Post genocide consequences Lack of skills (management, technical skills) Lack of access to loan 3. Particular role by Government, NGO and population a) Role by Government The Government of Rwanda quickly recognized the issue of gender inequalities most particularly in terms of economic and financial empowerment. In this regard, we need to address also the political empowerment since the Government considered it as a priority. The constitution provides therefore for at least 30% of women representatives not only in Parliament but in all other decision making bodies at all levels. As a result, women represent 51% in lower chamber of parliament, 30% in Senate, 36% in cabinet, 43% in districts councils (local government), 41% in Supreme Court, 44% of judges. We should also acknowledge other political and legal frameworks resulted in the Government support to women empowerment such as elected women council at all administrative levels for advocacy role (2000), classification of rape as a category 1 genocide crime, women inheritance law, etc. b) Role by NGO/Civil Society Back to economic situation of Rwandan women, the Private Sector Federation (PSF) created a specific chamber for women. It is in charge of: Promotion of women entrepreneurship and business growth • Building women entrepreneurs capacity and competitiveness • effective advocacy to have access to funds, supporting active involvement in national, regional and international trade • Enhancing communication skills and access to ICT . It is composed of seven new sectors of activity: trade and services, finance institutions, tourism, industry, the liberal professions, artisans and agribusiness. The Chamber’s strategy aims to improve the business climate and remove obstacles to doing business. This will reinforce the economic role of women and promote self-employment by a large part of the population that is currently productive but poorly remunerated. c) Role by local population There has been an increased awareness of women as well as men in relation to the women empowerment in Rwandan Society. This for instance reflected in the initiatives aimed at creating jobs, working together in associations and cooperatives, etc. III. CASE STUDY: PURPOSE COOPERTIVE 1. Social profile: living standards, level of income, social-ethnical structure, share capital, sex of members and other social characteristics) The creation of Purpose Cooperative was motivated by the need for working together by at the same time fight against unemployment which is at this time a major issue faced by Rwandan youth and young women in particular. We noticed that young women particularly face this problem especially after they complete their higher education. Purpose Cooperative was created to put together our expertise from different fields to promote self-employment and business development. Members of the Purpose cooperative are mainly young women graduates from various fields of study irrespective of the working experience. So far, Purpose Cooperative is comprised of 60 members. As far as the process from the creation to date is concerned, we have held different consultative meetings. The founding members met officers from the Private Sector Federation (PSF) specifically the Director in charge of the Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs. Afterwards, we met with the Managing Director of Rwanda Cooperative Agency who advised on the preliminary process of a cooperative foundation and the benefits of working together as a group. The income is made from member’s share capital and outsourced funds. This is somehow a challenge since Purpose cooperative members are mainly young unemployed graduates who still struggle to set up business and the main focus in this being “TOTAL SUCCESS’. Thank you! CONTACT President : Nyirabakobwa Alice E-mail: purposecooperative@gmail.com Telephone : +250788450842 |
Objectives of Purpose Cooperative are as follows: