Public Women's Organisation Zamzam - enhancing incomes for poor women through income generation activities (ຕາຈິກິສະຕານ)

The development of a women's network to disseminate information, provide training, and provide support to other women in the community to help them improve their livelihoods, and provide a forum by which women's issues can be raised at a local level.

Aims / objectives: The overriding objective of the creation of a women's group was to provide an approach, by which activities could be implemented to improve the livelihoods of women in this rural region. Women are considered a vulnerable group due to high rates of labour migration by many men to Russia. This leaves the women behind, to care for the children, tend the kitchen garden, rear animals and other duties that they have limited experience and training in completing. The creation of a women’s network was seen as an opportunity to unite women, and provide them with trainings, skills and livelihood opportunities so that they could improve not only their standard of living but also that of their families. Zamzam was also designed to act as a focal point for voicing women's issues with local representatives and local government, and to help raise the profile of women in the decision making process.

Methods: The organisation, Zamzam was set up initially with funding from an INGO, via a project, however to remain as a viable women’s network, they have several paid staff, secure funding through membership fees and sell dairy products on the local market. The core staff have received support from Caritas and Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) on areas like business planning, organisational development and marketing to encourage autonomy and sustainability in the future as financial support is withdrawn. In addition Zam Zam members are taught technical skills in dairy production, energy efficiency, soil conservation, basic farming techniques etc which are then taken back to the respective communities and conveyed back to the women of the community. This network creates a safe environment for learning, discussing and planning using the most active women members as conduits for the transfer of information and ideas.

Stages of implementation: The establishment of Zamzam follows a basic business model, whereby a board of directors is established to oversee the daily running of the organisation, periodically meeting to discuss planning, finance, reporting, employment etc. This is supplemented by a bi-annual members meeting whereby all the members of Zamzam meet, and are provided with information on the network performance. This ensures that the members are fully briefed and that the operations remain transparent. This is also an opportunity to vote for new board members, suggest new directions, discuss membership fees, and provide feedback on implemented activities. Zamzam has also developed a business strategy and charter to provide guidelines and direction for its members.

Role of stakeholders: There are three main types of stakeholders; the first are the board and paid staff of the organisation, who oversee the day to day running, the second are the members who participate in training and income generating activities, and act as information points in their respective communites to the third set of stakeholders; the women who are not members but who can still benefit from improved knowledge and support.