This text is part of the special International Women’s Day booklet
Mechanics, welders, electricians, students from underprivileged backgrounds around Ouagadougou learn these trades in order to be able to find their place in the job market thanks to the Mission inclusion project, in partnership with the All for All Association (ATTOUS).
In Burkina Faso, women represent only 11.3% of the population in the labor market, according to data from the International Labor Organization (ILO) reported by the World Bank. “We are in countries with a patriarchal culture,” explains Charles Mugiraneza, manager of major projects for Africa at Mission inclusion. Thus, a family that could not afford to send all its children to school would prioritize the education of boys.
“The girls are kept at home to help their mother with the housework. They will not easily enter the labor market because they are not competitive. We don’t give them the chance, ”he continues.
The project, at a cost of $498,000, was partially funded by the Ministry of International Relations and La Francophonie of Quebec to the tune of $200,000. The rest was donated by Mission Inclusion. These funds enabled 330 women in 2018 to undergo training in a non-traditional profession, according to the humanitarian organization. And it is 75% of graduates who have entered the labor market, while 25% have been able to create a micro-enterprise.
Changing mindsets
In addition to continuing to train women in trades, the project also works towards the full integration of these women so that they feel accepted in their professional environment. Mr. Mugiraneza explains that the culture in Burkina Faso somewhat resembles that of Quebec before the 1960s, where the Catholic Church still had dominance on issues concerning single mothers.
“Before, there were young girls in training with children on their backs. You can imagine, for training in welding, ”he illustrates. A nursery has been created for students who have children.
The project has also developed workshops on positive masculinity. “As far as the relationship between men and women is concerned, there is still a lot to do. We must try to sensitize the boys who work with them to avoid harassment based on gender,” explains Mr. Mugiraneza.
“There are struggles to be waged because, for a long time, this sector was monopolized by men,” he observes. He adds that currently, women still do housework when they return home after training, unlike male students.
Latifa Ouattara is currently training in electronics. At 23, she learns to repair household appliances, televisions, computers and telephones. She encourages other women like her to achieve their dreams. “If I had listened [les commentaires des gens]I wouldn’t have continued in electronics and I wouldn’t be where I am now,” she says.
Habiba Campaoré also had to deal with criticism when she decided to enroll in bodywork training, where she repairs damaged vehicles. “They said, ‘A girl with this job?’ I said, “Yeah!” They were amazed,” recalls the 18-year-old. If her parents did not initially agree with her career choice, they are now “very proud” of her, she says.
Securing succession
In order to ensure the sustainability of the training, if funding were to cease one day, a service center was created in partnership with Mission inclusion. “It is a center where ATTOUS could receive, for example, damaged vehicles from Ouagadougou, a repair garage which gives them an income”, summarizes Mr. Mugiraneza. In addition to training in bodywork, the center now also offers training in automotive mechanics.
A credit fund also allows women who want to own their own business to start a business. “And for those who enter the labor market, there is support,” adds Charles Mugiraneza. Thus, internships in companies allow several students to obtain a job after their training.
As for the two students, they hope one day to be able to create their own business. “I want to encourage women, who decide to go and do men’s jobs, not to listen to people, to have confidence in themselves and they will succeed”, wishes Latifa Ouattara.