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Africa has some of the most impoverished countries in the world. In Ghana, 78.5 percent of the population lives on less than $2 US dollars a day. Gender is an important dimension of poverty in Ghana, especially in the Northern Region. In rural areas, women are not only responsible for household activities, but also dominate agricultural activities. Global Mamas, whose mission is to reduce the economic inequality of women by increasing revenues and profits of woman-owned businesses in rural Africa, helped Ghanaian women begin cooperatives that design, create, and market traditional crafts and clothing. Women and girls are trained in entrepreneurship of traditional Ghanaian fashion and design, such as tie-dye and batik. When the women complete their apprenticeships, Global Mamas then helps them establish individually-owned businesses. So far, the cooperative has established 16 businesses. Global Mamas also ensures that the female entrepreneurs are paid a "living wage" -- over 10 times Ghana's minimum wage. Members are paid up front for completed products and receive financial assistance through a revolving loan fund for raw materials. In this photo, two apprentices walk home from work.
Source: www.globalmamas.org, EarthTrends, The World Bank Group
Photo Credit: Global Mamas
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