Summaries of HIV/AIDS Projects in Africa
Working with LWR Partners

Niger—Strengthening and Promotion of Women’s Micro-Enterprises in Kollo

Partners: LWR and Femmes Action pour le Developpement au Sahel (FADES)

Niger’s Kollo district is populated chiefly by the Fulani, a marginalized herding group that sits at the bottom of the Nigerian social ladder. Among the consequences of the resulting social isolation is a lack of access among women to education, land, credit, or income-generating activities, all of which leave the women of the Kollo district economically vulnerable. The women of Kollo are in need of alliances that strengthen their capacities, allow them to participate in decision-making processes, and improve their economic and social well being so that they are able to provide necessities for themselves and their families.

GOAL: FADES addresses issues of poverty and gender inequity in rural areas by raising awareness of reproductive health issues, providing access to training and credit for income-generating activities, supporting the formation of women’s groups, and encouraging women’s participation in community leadership and development processes. In this project, FADES will work to improve the economic and social status of 900 women in 3 villages by granting small business loans, and strengthening the capacities of women’s groups.
LWR will assist FADES with project management, monitoring, and evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: LWR’s partner, CEB will:

• 900 women will have access to credit and receive small business management training. 90% of those women will implement their own income-generating activities, and thereby meet basic needs.

• A viable credit system with a high repayment rate will be in place.

• Women will reduce vulnerability by changing behaviors as a result of income increases and HIV/AIDS prevention training.

• 20%, or more, of participating women will participate in voluntary HIV/AIDS testing.

• FADES and the nine women’s groups will strengthen organizational and institutional capacities.

• FADES will expand activities.

• HIV-positive participants will receive psychosocial support from MVS staff.

• Women will participate in decision-making and assume leadership roles within their groups and communities.

Total LWR Support: $50,171 through 2003.

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