Help create income opportunities for women to stem the tide of HIV/AIDS and elevate the status of women in Swaziland. Swaziland Fair Trade will train and mentor 100 female led producer groups to facilitate income generation and job creation.
In Swaziland, women only gained equality under the new constitution in 2006, before that they had the status of minor children under the law. With the world's worst HIV/AIDS infection rate life expectancy is just 48 years .Widespread poverty and unemployment are major drivers of the epidemic as without economic empowerment young women are more likely to turn to sex to earn as an income. Making women the breadwinners of the family elevates the status of women, it is that simple.
Swazi women are skilled and they believe that their hands can change their fortune.SWIFT has been working with 5088 producers, 97% female since 2007 bringing capacity building, training and trade facilitation. We have been able to facilitate a 37% rise in income for producers and helped our members to create 330 new jobs. With our proven track record facilitating job creation and income we are about to start working with another 100 female led producer groups to bring economic empowerment.
When more women work, economies grow. An increase in female labour force participation results in faster economic growth.Evidence from a range of countries shows that increasing the share of household income controlled by women directly benefits children. Giving women the chance to earn a living through their own hands will empower women to stand on their own two feet instead of turning to men or sugar daddies to fund them.
This project has provided additional documentation in a DOCX file (projdoc.docx).
