“Coffee Has Given Us Voice”: Coffee Cooperatives and Women Empowerment in Rwanda’s Rural Areas
Publisher: University of Rwanda, University of Liege, and Independent University of Kigali
Author(s): Gisaro M. Ya-Bititi, Philippe Lebailly, and Déo Mbonyinkebe
Date: 2015
Topics: Gender, Livelihoods, Renewable Resources
Countries: Rwanda
In many developing countries in general and particularly in Rwanda’s rural areas, women are the poorest and most vulnerable group. This category of Rwanda’s population is basically involved in agricultural activities; they also are responsible for maintaining the welfare of the household. The agriculture sector is the main economic mainstay for Rwanda. Coffee is one of the most important traditional cash crops in Rwanda. It is the main source of income for approximately 500,000 households. Coffee cultivation is an important activity that highly contributes to the national economy in terms of employment, especially for rural women. In Rwanda, cooperatives have been used as breeding grounds for socio-economic empowerment of women. They increase production and improve the socio-economic households’ income. Coffee cooperatives have played an important role in the creation of women and girls’ employment in rural areas, especially during the harvest season. Thus, the socio-economic welfare of women coffee growers is enhanced. Cooperatives have contributed to poverty reduction in the country, especially among families of coffee growers.