The main finding was that by partnering with this non-profit organisation, women really benefited in many ways. They benefited in terms of the training they received and their own sense of empowerment, but also by increasing the networks amongst themselves, maintaining close contact and a support group every month where they would meet and share experiences and problem solve together. It was really great to know that organisations like this NPO facilitates women and economic empowerment.
Role of economic development cooperatives in improving the livelihoods of women in Gauteng, South Africa
Professor
Tanusha Raniga
(She/Her)
University of Johannesburg
A am a passionate social worker, academic and researcher who has an unconditional commitment to serve all of humanity
South African
Women should be supported in terms of getting the psychosocial support that they need, because many women feel very lonely and isolated. So creating a business forum where they can share their experience monthly would be useful.
About
The limitations of neoliberal politics and economic globalisation have contributed to feminisation of poverty in Global South countries. The implementation of cooperatives has played a visible role in localising the economy and addressing poverty amongst women, and this paper attempts to advance empirical evidence in the field of social development and feminisation of poverty.
South Africa has an extremely high unemployment rate. Of the around 58 million population, 18 million people are benefiting from social state grants.
My concern in general and this research in particular has been to help women who are completely dependent on the state grants to become more economically productive.
The object of this specific paper was to find out what the effect of the NPO (non-profit organisation) in Gauteng has had on the lives of eight women who participated in this study.
Key Findings
How to use
Women should be supported in their psychosocial needs. A lot of them feel very lonely and isolated, and setting up a business forum where they can share their experiences monthly would be useful.
The state needs to provide access funding, state loans or microcredit. Access to microcredit is really important, because it allows women to pool together and pay back their loans together and empower them to become economically active. To do so, social workers should get involved in advocating and lobbying.
NPO and cooperative projects like this one should be encouraged, since they facilitate economic development, human skills development and social networking.
Policymakers need to focus on supporting the informal economy.
The full paper is not available open access
Raniga, T. (2021). Role of economic development cooperatives in improving the livelihoods of women in Gauteng, South Africa. Development Southern Africa, 38(4), 591-606.
About this research
This research was independently conducted and did not receive funding from outside of the university.
Recommended for
UN Sustainable Development Goals
This research contributes to the following SDGs
About this research
This research was independently conducted and did not receive funding from outside of the university.
Recommended for
What it means
Several articles published from my social work intervention research in the Bhambayi community in the province of KwaZulu Natal are examples of best practice which supports the relevance of the sustainable livelihoods approach and poverty alleviation amongst poor women.
I have had a few master’s students who have been working within their own contexts that show the benefits of the 2005 Cooperatives Development policy. But there is a lack of awareness and support from the private sector and the government itself in respect of providing funding, training and support to enhance sustainability of these projects.
Methodology
This research consisted of interviews with eight women employed by the non-profit organisation and monitoring their experiences. However, the sample of this research is quite small, so you cannot really generalise the findings.
Glossary
Sustainable livelihood
Looking at sustainable livelihoods translates to looking at human capital development, social capital and the social networks, access to financial capital and physical capital. It is an approach to research and policy-making.
Let your research make a social impact
Antoine Germain prepared this research following an interview with Tanusha Raniga.
