Abstract:
The objective of this study is to analyze the impact of small-scale activities by women in a few
villages in the lower Oueme Valley of Benin. For this, 08 villages have been covered in (04)
municipalities (Bonou, Dangbo, Adjohoun, and Aguegue). Within each village, (20) women
engaged in specific activities were interviewed, for a total of 160 women. The range of women's
small activities is as follows : unloading from the sand of canoes (with 28.30% of the women
surveyed), gari processing (15.00%) ; collection and sale of firewood (10.00%).%); preparation
of kelekele 8,30% ; sell food (8,30%); transformation of tapioca (6,70%); sale of porridge
(3,40%); passage of varnishes to the feet and hands (3,30%); preparation of patties (3,30 %);
transform raffia leaves (3,30%), sale of agbofan 3,30 % ; sell atchouta (3.30 per cent); sale of
akassa (1.70%); sale of beans (1.70%). For example, young women (< 30 years of age) tend to
be more involved in dumping sand from canoes, while older women prefer to sell akassa and
galette. In addition, the annual income of women for these small activities is CFAF 100,000 (33
per cent of women), CFAF 200,000 to CFAF 300,000 (12 per cent), CFAF 300,000 to CFAF
400,000 (11 per cent), CFAF 400,000 to CFAF 500,000 (17 per cent), and CFAF 500,000 or
more (17 per cent). In addition, annual incomes are used to finance the same activities (for 68%
of investigations). These incomes are also used for agricultural crops (62 %) ; for livestock (35
%) ; for processing activities (8.33%); for commerce (30%); for clothing (61.66%); for
maintenance of housing (5%); for the purchase of pharmaceuticals (11.66%); for traditional care
(25%); for travel (26.66%); for ceremonies (42%); for food expenditure (71.67%); for schooling
of children (18.33%). Women in the lower Oueme Valley are engaged in activities and earn
income, which allows them to meet some needs. But the lack of financial resources and the
impracticability of the routes are difficulties for women in their activities. |
