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Organising HBWs in Africa was initiated by WIEGO between 2009-2010 and 2012-2015 under their ‘Global Trade Programme’, together with the Organization and Representation Programme in the second period, where they identified organisations and women’s groups of home-based workers. In the years 2018 – 2021, work focused on organising HBWs and institution building at local and national levels in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and South Africa. At the regional level, this led to the formation of the African Regional Platform, which further developed into HomeNet Africa (HNA) in the year 2022.
HNA has established interim structures aimed at building an independent regional network of home-based workers. From 2019 to present, the Working Group has expanded from 12 to 35 members, consisting of representatives from HNI affiliates, Executive Committee members and Organisers from each national network, Cluster Leaders from emerging networks, WIEGO, and the Regional Coordinator. The group meets once a month, alternating between regular meetings and capacity – building sessions.
HNA has created and introduced a 5-year strategic plan that comprises 5 key areas. These key areas form the basis of each national organisation’s annual plan. To ensure that progress is being made, a committee has been established to oversee the implementation of the strategic plan. The committee meets once a month to receive feedback on the progress made towards achieving the key areas.
Regional Coordinator
Nairobi, Kenya
Email: [email protected]
Executive Committee Member
Kenya
Email: [email protected]
In Ethiopia home-based workers’ organizing is supported by Women in Self Employment (WISE).
http://wise.org.et/?fbclid=IwAR1SQjKbxLofM6bEl0YRMS9VjByVCPZyaTxbTClXzUz90hdjRwGL2Xg-tVA
In Kenya, the HBWs representatives spread across 6 cluster regions and organized as self-help groups, cooperatives and producer organizations found in the commercial crafts, textile and Garment Sectors; specialization inherent on raw materials and traditional skills. Over the years, the different HBWs groups have been working together towards increasing organization and formalizing in a national network.
On 10 December 2020, Home Based Workers Network-Kenya officially launched in Nakuru, Kenya.
Read more:
https://www.homenetinternational.org/event/home-based-workers-in-kenya-are-organizing-for-recognition-rights
HomeNet Kenya Launch Statement
Elizabeth Nzilani
Machakos Cooperative Union
Email: [email protected]
Jemimah Nyakongo
Rachuonyo Women Group
Email: [email protected]
In South Africa the South African Self-Employed Women’s Association (SASEWA) was founded in 2009 in KwaZulu Natal when there was a need for informal workers such as street vendors and homed-based workers to have their rights represented. The organization has six active branches of cooperatives engaged mainly in traditional beadwork. Home-based workers in Cape Town are organized in an emerging network of textile and craft producing cooperatives.
Thandiwe Xulu,
SASEWA
Email: [email protected]
Emily Milanzi,
Empire Cooperative
Cape Town Cluster
Email: [email protected]h
In Tanzania self-help groups are organizing from Dar Es Salaam.
Rebecca Nyaluke,
UWAKE
Email: [email protected]
In Uganda, nineteen organizations are organized around the five regions of Kampala city.
Betty Lunkuse,
Envirojewels
Email: [email protected]
Lillian Semigga,
Uganda Crafts 200
Email: [email protected]
Regional Coordinator
Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda
