The Dududu Women's Craft Group is a women's economic self-sufficiency initiative started by LetsStopAIDS interns and a group of 15 local women interested in developing artisnal products for market.  Many of these women are incredibly talented beaders, sewers, and knitters, and simply lack access to start up capital and access to markets.  Twice per week, the group meets to teach eachother skills, and practice their crafts.  We are in the process of setting up an online shop so these women can show and sell their products across South Africa and overseas.  These women are working on turning beautiful, unqiue Zulu beadwork into wearable forms of art attractive to local and foreign buyers. 

 

In Dududu, high rates of unemployment and poor levels of educational attainment among women and girls creates a high level of female economic dependancy on males.  Much literature on women and development highlights how empowering women has positive spillover effects in many aspects of a community; notably children's health and educational outcomes.  Moreover, helping women become economically self-sufficient goes a long way in decreasing their dependancy on a male breadwinner.  Economic independence can help lower rates of gender-based violence and abuse, giving women a pathway out of abusive relationships.

 

This project is still in its startup phase; we are currently fundraising to purchase additional startup capital, provide professional training to these women in running and business and producing unique, marketable products.  Our current fundraising goal is R20,000 (about $2000 CND).  If you are interested in contributing to this project, please visit the Donate link.