Women's Empowerment
Women's empowerment is a crucial issue for the social and economic development of our communities. In our non-profit organization Mama Odari, we are committed to supporting young girls, especially those who have been victims of early or forced marriages. Through our activities, we aim to offer them economic opportunities and help them regain their dignity.
Who are the beneficiaries of our program?
We work mainly with two groups of young girls:
Victims of early marriage : These girls, often returned to their parents, find themselves in precarious situations, where their future is compromised.
Out-of-school girls : Due to the poverty of their families, these young girls are often forced to drop out of school, which puts them at risk of early or forced marriage.
Our Advocacy Actions
We strongly believe that change starts with awareness. That is why we advocate with local authorities to ensure that laws against child marriage are enforced. We also mobilize communities through the media, especially radio, to raise awareness about the dangers of these practices.
The Challenges of Family Life
The reality for these girls is often tragic. Many end up begging or working as prostitutes, which exposes them to sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. This desperate situation is often fueled by the poverty of their families, who see marriage as an opportunity for financial gain.
Our Solution: The Mutual Solidarity Technique (MUSO)
To combat this poverty and prevent early marriages, we have implemented an innovative technique called MUSO (Mutuelle de Solidarité). Here is how it works:
Solidarity Groups : Girls are grouped into teams of 5 to 10 to make weekly or monthly contributions, ranging from 100 FC to 500 FC (USD 0.061 to USD 0.303). The amount is set by the members according to their abilities.
Contribution boxes : Contributions are kept in two boxes: a blue one for credits and a red one for mutual aid in case of need (illness, bereavement, etc.).
Financial support : To encourage groups, our non-profit organization provides additional financial support, kept in a green fictitious box.
Security and transparency : To avoid fraud, the boxes are closed with padlocks with two keys, guarded by two different girls. The credits are rotating, without interest and without guarantee.
Impact and Results
To date, we are following six active solidarity mutual groups, representing 57 girls. Thanks to this initiative, these young girls are beginning to regain their economic autonomy and dream of a better future.
Conclusion
Women’s empowerment is an essential process to build more just and equitable societies. By supporting vulnerable girls, we contribute to providing them with opportunities and protecting them from early marriage. We invite all interested individuals and organizations to support our initiative to make a significant difference in the lives of these young girls.
Together we can change lives and build a better future for all girls in our community. Thank you for your support!