Women in Business

Photo courtesy of Kivulini

Kivulini conducted a study that found women in business (and we’re mainly talking about small-scale business) were at greater risk for domestic violence. The reasons for this are not entirely clear yet, but we could speculate that there’s some cultural resistance to women becoming even slightly more financially independent of their husbands. 

And then, there are all these well-meaning NGOs, (including many in the Kivulini network) who exist to develop entrepreneurial skills among women.  This may be part of the reason why many communities do not view NGOs favorably. All this empowering of women, especially in business can potentially unsettle the status quo.

Is this not a terribly sad irony? These NGOs are trying to help women help themselves, yet their work may actually lead to more violence and suffering. And there’s the rub we face--whether it’s healthcare or women’s rights or micro-loans, the possibility that one’s efforts might actually make things worse, or lead to unforeseen, negative complications in a place like Mwanza is very real. It’s a messy, nebulous enterprise, this trying to improve people's lives stuff...