SUSUTAINABLE COTTON FOR WOMEN AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT (SCOWOYE)

The African Institute of Corporate Citizenship (AICC) is implementing the  Sustainable Cotton for Women and Youth Empowerment (SCOWOYE) project  which has been developed by We Effect and its partner organisations. The overall objective of the project is to contribute to reduction of poverty and injustice in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe through improved productivity in the cotton sub-sector. The primary target group for the project are women and youth especially cotton smallholder farmers and, spinners and weavers, who are members of cotton farmer organisations in the four countries; and cotton farmer organisations in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The project’s specific objective is “Women, men and youth cotton farmers have increased incomes and sustainable livelihoods in targeted communities of Malawi Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe through creation of 55, 000 decent jobs”. The project will create new decent jobs and turn existing ones into decent jobs for women and youths by delivering a fair income, better prospects for personal development and social integration, freedom for cotton producers to organise themselves and participate in the decisions that affect their lives. Value addition, production and trading in certified cotton, based on an existing standard, such as Better Cotton Standard System (thereafter referred to as Better Cotton or BC) will be key intervention strategies employed to achieve the specific objective.

Decent jobs in the project shall be characterised by at least 50% participation of women and equality of opportunity for women, participation of persons in the age group 18-35 years, delivery of a fair income, a secure and safe working environment and freedom for cotton producers and workers to organise and represent themselves and participate in making decisions that affect their lives.