Transcript
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Participatory Impact Assessment of Women Income
Generating Groups under CARE intervention in
Borena, Ethiopia
ReportpreparedforCAREEthiopia,PastoralistPrograms
ByMirjam
Steglich
and
Gezu
Bekele
September2009
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Acknowledgement
TheparticipatoryimpactassessmentdocumentedinthisreporthasbeencommissionedbyCARE,Ethiopia.The
fieldworkwas importantlysupportedbyNigistShiferawandtheCAREBoranafieldstaffArasoGuyo,Halake
GataniandAbubakarTusa.Thestudywouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthesupportofmany,foremostthe
women of the WIGGs who sacrificed their valuable time to participate in the assessment; furthermore, the
many respondents who patiently participated in the interviews. Invaluable initial input into the study was
providedby
John
Burns
and
Andy
Catley
of
Tufts
University,
who
shared
their
knowledge
and
experience
from
similar field studies. Last but not least, Charles Hopkins, Pastoral Project Manager, CARE, importantly
contributedtothestudywithhisguidanceandadvice.
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TableofContentsTableofContents.................................................................................................................................................2
ListofAcronyms...................................................................................................................................................3
ListofTables.........................................................................................................................................................3
ListofDiagramsandBoxes...................................................................................................................................3
ExecutiveSummary..............................................................................................................................................4
KeyFindings.........................................................................................................................................................5
PolicyImplications ................................................................................................................................................5
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................6
2. ParticipatoryImpactAssessment:ApproachandMethods..........................................................................8
2.1. TheParticipatoryImpactAssessmentofCAREsupportedWIGGs...................................................8
2.2. SamplingFrame.............................................................................................................................. 9
2.3. AssessmentTechniques..................................................................................................................9
2.4. DataAnalysis.................................................................................................................................10
Results................................................................................................................................................................11
3. GroupProfilesofWomenIncomeGeneratingGroups...............................................................................11
4. LivelihoodImpactofCAREsupportedWIGGs............................................................................................14
4.1.
Changesin
Livelihood
Indicators
...................................................................................................
14
5. IncomeDiversificationofWIGGParticipants ..............................................................................................16
5.1. GroupIncomeEarningActivities:SuccessandFailures.................................................................16
5.2. BeneficialNoncashGroupActivities.............................................................................................17
5.3. RelativeChangesinIncomefromIndividualIncomeEarningActivities.........................................17
5.4. FemaleheadedHouseholdBenefitedmostfromtheWIGGActivities..........................................18
6. GroupLoanandSavingsOperations..........................................................................................................20
6.1. GroupSavings...............................................................................................................................20
6.2. LoansandthePurposeofLoansTaken.........................................................................................20
7. CopingStrategiestoMitigatetheEffectsofDrought.................................................................................22
8. AgencyInterventionsinSupportofWIGGs................................................................................................22
8.1. CARESupporttoWIGGs................................................................................................................22
8.2.
OtherSupporting
Agencies
and
CARE
Project
Attribution
.............................................................
23
9. Discussion..................................................................................................................................................25
9.1. TheAppropriatenessoftheParticipatoryImpactAssessmentApproach......................................25
9.2. SuccessesandChallengesoftheWomenIncomeGeneratingGroups..........................................25
9.3. TheRoleofSocialEmpowerment..................................................................................................27
9.4. StateoftheartApproachestoWIGGsandthePastoralLivelihoodContext.................................27
9.5. WIGGsstriveunderCARESupportandContributionsofotherAgenciesthatcreateanoverall
EnablingEnvironment...................................................................................................................28
10. Recommendations ......................................................................................................................................29
10.1. OptionsforScalingupandtheRoleofCARE.............................................................................29
10.2. PolicyRecommendations..........................................................................................................30
11.
References
.................................................................................................................................................
31
ListofInterviewPartners....................................................................................................................................32
Appendix1.........................................................................................................................................................33
Appendix2.........................................................................................................................................................34
Appendix3.........................................................................................................................................................35
Appendix4.........................................................................................................................................................36
Appendix5.........................................................................................................................................................39
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ListofAcronyms
CARE CooperativeforAssistanceandReliefEverywhere
CPO CooperatePromotionOffice
ELSE EnhancedLivelihoodsinSouthernEthiopia
ETB
EthiopianBirr
IGA IncomeGeneratingActivity
NGO NongovernmentalOrganization
PIA ParticipatoryImpactAssessment
PLI PastoralistLivelihoodInitiative
PRA ParticipatoryRuralAppraisal
RREAD RegionalResiliencyEnhancementAgainstDrought
WIGG WomenIncomeGeneratingGroup
ListofTables
Table1 WIGGPIAsamplingframe
Table2 BriefdescriptionofparticipatorymethodsusedintheWIGGimpactassessment
Table3 TranscribedtimelineoftheJirenyaWIGGintheYabelloWoreda
Table4 TranscribedtimelineoftheHormataWIGGintheTelteleWoreda
Table5 GeneralgroupcharacteristicsofthesurveyedthenCAREsupportedWIGGs
Table6 OverviewofWIGGengagementindifferentincomegeneratingactivitiesandtheirranking
Table7 WIGGsavingsandgroupfundcontributions
Table8 RankingagenciesfortheiruseandsupporttoWIGGs
ListofDiagramsandBoxes
Box1 ScannedcopyofatimelinefromTeltele
Diagram1 LivelihoodindicatorsofCAREsupportedWIGGsbeforeandafterprojectinterventions(N=10)
Box2 TypicalstatementsofCAREsupportedwomenWIGGmembersshowingelementsof
empowerment
Diagram2 ComparisonofindividualincomegeneratingactivitiesbeforeandafterWIGGinvolvementfor
membersofCAREgroups(N=56)andcontrolgroups(N=61)
Diagram3 AverageloanstakenbywomenofCAREgroups(N=56)andcontrolgroups(N=61)overthe
past12months
Box3 TrainingsandotherCAREinputs
Box4 ScannedcopyofavenndiagramfromagroupinYabello
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Participatoryimpactassessmentofwomenincomegeneratinggroupsunder
CAREinterventioninBorena,Ethiopia
ExecutiveSummary
This report presents results of a participatory impact assessment of CARE supported WIGGs in Borana,
SouthernEthiopia.Theassessment isbasedonapredominatelyparticipatoryapproach. Itsprimaryaim isto
identifyandmeasurethe impactofCAREsupportedWIGGsonthe livelihoodsofthebeneficiaries.It includes
both,positiveandnegativechangesinthelivelihoodsofparticipatinghouseholdsthatcanbeattributedtothe
project intervention. In addition, the analysis of economic, policy and institutional factors within which the
CARE intervention takes shape providesoptions for scalingupof the WIGGsapproachwithin the context of
safetynetprogramsindifferentsocioeconomicareasofEthiopia.
ThePIAiscarriedoutatindividualandgrouplevel.Theindividuallevelassessmentisconductedintheformof
questionnairetype interviews with 120 women; 60 women from CARE groups and 60 women from control
groups. The group level assessment consists of group discussions facilitated a small number of participatory
appraisal techniques with five to ten women per group. Secondary sources of information, such as key
informant interviews and project reports are used for purposes of triangulation and to gain a better
understanding of the environment in which the project is implemented and how related contextual factors
influencethesuccessandfailureoftheWIGGs.
Resultsascertain that the majority ofgroupsaresuccessfullyengaged ingroup incomegenerating activities,
foremostpetty trade,grain tradeandcattle fattening.About70%of the groupmembers benefit from small
loans offered by the WIGGs. Especially the vulnerable femaleheaded households derive significant financial
benefitsfrom theWIGGparticipation. Anadditional importantpositive livelihoodchangeattributedtoWIGG
membershipisanincreaseinknowledgeandselfesteemoftheparticipatingwomen.Thecombinationofmore
knowledgeandexperienceandenhancedsocialcohesionamonggroupmembers coupledwith theability to
participate incommunitydecisionmakingsubstantiallyenhanceswomenempowerment.Thewomengroups
showavitalconcernfortheircommunitywelfareandoftenencouragetheentirecommunitytogetinvolvedin
activities
such
as
hay
making
or
to
contribute
to
water
preservation.
Challenges to the functioning of WIGGs are conflict and migration due to drought. Strong, wellorganized
WIGGs, however, also devise innovative strategies to mitigate the effects of drought. The overall positive
impactofWIGGsonthelivelihoodsofparticipatingwomenjustifiesscalingupoftheseactivities,especiallyin
thepastoralist livelihoodcontext.Ongoingsociopoliticalchange, includingthepromotionofwomensrights,
createsanenablingenvironmentinwhichtheWIGGsplayacrucialroleinbringingabouttangiblebenefitsof
womenempowerment,suchashouseholdlivelihooddiversificationanddroughtresilience.
It is,however,necessarytoadvocatetheemergingroleofWIGGs in thepastoralist livelihoodcontextwhere
CAREsstrengthistoensureastateoftheartWIGGapproachandaclearpropoorvision.CAREmustcontinue
to emphasize the propoor focus of WIGGs while maintaining its collaboration with related government
agencies. Involved agencies should endeavor more transparency in project implementation and foster
continued peerlearning mechanisms among agencies to improve their WIGG support. A policy learning
dialogue with the respective government agencies can help to overcome the often too mechanistic
administration of cooperative promotion that jeopardizes the establishment of strong, selfreliant, and
accountableWIGGs.
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KeyFindings
TheWIGGshaveastrongpositive impactonthelivelihoodofparticipatingwomenandtheirhouseholds.
Especially the vulnerable femaleheaded households derive significant financial benefits from the WIGG
participation. Additional significant changes are noneconomic and relate to a range of factors that
contributeto
women
social
empowerment.
ThewomenWIGGmembersperceivetheknowledgeandinformationtheyreceiveintrainingcoursesand
crossvisitsasmostvaluableandperceivetheawarenesstheyderivefromtheseasthekeytochange.
StrongWIGGsthosethatarewellorganizedandachievedfinancialsuccessintheirgroupincomeearning
activitiesdevisedroughtmitigationstrategiesfortheirmembersandtheircommunitiesatlarge.
WIGGs operate within an enabling environment of supporting governmental and nongovernmental
agenciesaswellaspositiveinstitutional andsociopoliticalchange.WithinthisenablingenvironmentCARE
playsacrucialroleinensuringthepropooroutcomesofWIGGs.
While
CARE
and
other
NGOs
have
embarked
on
a
course
of
intensified
collaboration
with
the
governmentalCooperativePromotionOfficeinsupportofWIGGs,theagenciesarecaughtinthedilemma
ofdivergenceinapproachesandintereststowardsthisend.
PolicyImplications
The positive impact of WIGGs on the livelihoods of participating womenjustifies scalingup of these
activities,especiallyinthepastoralistlivelihoodcontext.
ItisnecessarytoadvocatetheemergingroleofWIGGsinthepastoralist livelihoodcontextwhereCAREs
strengthistoensureastateoftheartWIGGapproachandaclearpropoorvision.
Involved agencies should endeavor more transparency in project implementation and foster continued
peerlearningmechanismsamongagenciestoimprovetheirWIGGsupport.
Apolicy learningdialoguewiththerespectivegovernmentagenciescanhelptoovercome theoftentoo
mechanistic administration of cooperative promotion thatjeopardizes the establishment of strong, self
reliant,andaccountableWIGGs.
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1. Introduction
Pastoralistsystemsandrelatedlivelihoodsareincreasinglyunderpressureandcaughtinadownwardspiralof
resource depletion, poverty, and diminishing resilience against drought related emergencies (UNOCHA PCI
2007). It is generally understood that emergency drought interventions and related humanitarian relief
operationswillnotsolvetheproblem.CAREandotherNGOsthatprimarilyengagedinprovidingemergencyaid
inthe
past
have
undergone
amajor
policy
shift
and
now
focus
their
activities
on
reducing
the
vulnerability
of
pastoralists and their livelihoods, emphasizing improved drought management and long term development
programming.Livelihooddiversificationisakeystrategytowardsthisend,assistingpastoraliststobecomeless
dependenton livestockastheirsolehouseholdassetand incomegeneratingactivity(PantulianoandWekesa
2008).
Aspartofitslivelihooddiversificationstrategy,CAREEthiopiacarriesoutprojectactivitiessupportingwomen
incomegeneratingactivitiesinHarage,BoranaandAfar.Theseprojectsspecificallytargetwomeninpastoralist
communities. Its entry point are Women Income Generating Groups (WIGGs) that receive various inputs
through CARE, foremost trainings and seedmoney. This report presents the findings of the Participatory
ImpactAssessment(PIA)oftheCAREsupportedWIGGsinBorana,SouthernEthiopia.
Findingsoftheimpactassessmentarebasedongroupdiscussionsandindividualinterviewsutilizingasetof
participatory
appraisal
techniques
with
women
of
CARE
supported
groups
and
control
groups.
Additional
information sources are key informant interviews and various project documents. Unique to the WIGG
approach inBorana isthatCAREispioneeringtheuseofWIGGsinthecontextofapredominatelypastoralist
livelihood system. It is the first time that an impact assessment on WIGGs is undertaken in the pastoralist
contextofBorana.Among themainobjectivesof thePIA istoestablish thevalueoftheWIGGapproach for
livelihooddiversificationinthepastoralistcontextandabetterunderstanding oftheoptionsforscalingupof
theapproachinEthiopia.
The WIGG approach that CARE adopted builds on positive grassroots development experiences made with
women incomegenerationprogramsinEthiopiaandotherpartsofAfrica(CAREnodate;PARIMA2008;IFAD
1998). It enables women to diversify incomes through collective action and group savings. The primary
expectationintheprojectoutcomeistheeconomicempowermentofwomenparticipants, whichisperceived
to
taleplace
as
a
directchain
of
impact,
leading
from
improved
access
to
small
loans,
to
intensified
small
enterprise activities, to income diversification and related poverty reduction. However, WIGG activities also
generate indirect, nevertheless equally beneficial, impact. Typically, the indirect impact of microfinance
schemesoccurs inadiverserangeofoutcomesandpathwaysand is lesstangible(SebstadandCohen2001).
Socialempowermentisamongtheseoutcomes.Likewise,theabilityoftheWIGGstoadoptdroughtmitigation
mechanismsasanotherwaytoenhancehouseholdsriskmanagementcapacitiesisofparticularinterestinthis
regard.
The PIA findings show that CAREs intervention has brought about positive changes in the lives of the
participants. Women who have until recently been predominately involved in livestock husbandry took up
alternative and complementary income earning activities. While not all of the group activities have been
successfulandwomenexperienceoccasionalsetbacks,themajorityofthemperceivetheirsmallenterprisesas
profitableand
report
increasing
financial
independence.
The
financial
independence
becomes
apparent
in
the
womensabilitytocovertheirchildrensschoolfeesandfamilymedicalexpenses,andownoftenforthefirst
time in their liveshouseholdassetssuchassmallruminates,cattleorhousehold utensils.Thesavingsand
loanfunctionofthegroups,whichconstitutes theprimarysourceofcapitalforthewomen,operateswell in
spiteofthechallengethatalmostallthewomenparticipants areilliterate.Loansareutilizedbyover70percent
oftheWIGGmembers.
However,womendonotonlyusetheloanstoinvestintheirsmallbusinessactivitiesbutalsocoverhousehold
expenseswiththeloans.Thisbecomesparticularlyvital intimesoftemporaryfoodshortageand lackofcash
during periods of drought. It demonstrates that women employ the WIGG scheme in innovative ways that
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generate additional benefits from WIGG membership that are particularly vital in the pastoral context.
Common for successful women income generating collectiveaction groups (Premchander 1994), the PIA
findingsdocumentaremarkablegain insenseofselfconfidence inthewomenWIGGparticipants. Thesocial
empowermentthatthewomenderivefromtheWIGGschemegeneratesbenefitsbeyondthehouseholdlevel,
since the women use their enhanced authority and knowledge to involve the larger community in activities
suchashaymakingorwaterpreservation.
The
pastoral
context
poses
specific
challenges,
foremost
illiteracy,
temporary
migration,
and
very
limited
access to markets, which make the operation of the WIGGs difficult for the women and for the project
implementation.Projectexperienceso farhasshown that thesechallengescanbeovercome. Inthisregard,
the CARE project staff firmly follows a stateoftheart bottomup participatory approach in facilitating the
WIGGactivitiesanddoesnot imposeactivities in facilitating theWIGGs.ThePIArevealsanadditional,more
severechallengethatjeopardizestheviabilityofanumberofgroups.InsomecasestheactivitiesoftheWIGGs
are closely supervised by the Cooperative Promotion Office (CPO). The CPO often imposes specific income
earningactivitiesonthegroupsorrushesthemtojoinintoformal lagercooperativeunits,despitethe lackof
organizational capacity for that step. While the collaborative partnership between CARE and the CPO is
perceived as mutually advantageous and of important benefit to the project, both agencies operate with
conflicting objectives. CARE focuses on establishing sustainable, selfreliant groups, but the CPO is under
pressure
to
quickly
establish
larger
formal
cooperatives.
Where
the
CPO
hijacks
the
CARE
WIGGs
for
itspurposes,CAREinvestmentsareindangerwhengroupscollapse.
In scalingup the WIGG approach CARE will have to ensure that it maintains its propoor approach and find
waystosafeguardthe integrityoftheWIGGs itsupports.Additionalsuggestionsonhowbesttoachievethis
areaddressed intheconcludingsection.Thestructureofthereport issuchthatfirstthemethodologyofthe
PIA and related data collection and analysis are described. Subsequently WIGG member livelihood and
livelihood changes as outcomes of group assessments are documented. A more detailed account of impact
related to income diversification and the loan and savings scheme based on information from individual
interviewsandcomparisonwithacontrolgroupareputforwardinthefollowingchapters.Attheendofeach
chapter, points of relevance for the WIGG approach are raised. A summary discussion and policy
recommendations are found at the end. Additional documentation, including photographs showing the
participatoryassessmentconductedinBorana,isintheappendix.
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2. ParticipatoryImpactAssessment:ApproachandMethods
2.1.TheParticipatoryImpactAssessmentofCAREsupportedWIGGs
The impact assessment of CARE supported women income generating groups in Borena is based on a
predominatelyparticipatoryapproach.ItsprimaryaimistoidentifyandmeasuretheimpactofCAREsupported
WIGGson
the
livelihoods
of
the
beneficiaries.
It
includes
both,
positive
and
negative
changes
in
the
livelihoods
ofprojectparticipants.Usingaparticipatory livelihoodapproachallowsforanintegratedanalysisofcomplex,
highlydynamicruralcontextsandlooksatdevelopmenteffortsfromalocallevelpointofview(Scoones2009).
Inaddition,theanalysisofeconomic,policyandinstitutional factorswithinwhichtheCAREinterventiontakes
shape, provides options for scalingup of the WIGGs approach within the context of safety net programs in
differentsocioeconomicareasofEthiopia.
Participatory ImpactAssessments(PIA)combineparticipatorytechniquesfromthefieldofPRA(Participatory
Rural Appraisal) with more conventional statistical methods of data exploration in order to give meaningful
measurements of the impact of interventions on livelihoods (Catley et al. 2007). The advantage of the PIA
approach is that the people targeted by the intervention are directly involved in the assessment, utilizing
participatoryappraisaltoolsthatareadaptedtothespecificlocalsituation(Guijt1998).Ideallytheassessment
itselfserves
as
alearning
exercise
for
project
staff
and
participants.
In
the
present
case,
however,
the
main
motivationbehindundertakingthePIAwastogatherreliable informationdirectlyfromandwith theproject
beneficiaries. The methods employed allow to partly express otherwise qualitative information in numerical
estimates. This eases interpretation and facilitates comparisons for those in charge of program design and
fundingdecisions.
Thepresent assessment targets exclusively the female membersof thoseWIGGs thatreceive directsupport
from CARE1. Men participate in some of the WIGGs and also contribute to income generating activities at
times2.Womenare,however,thekeyclientgroupofconcern in thisassessment. It isreasonable toassume
thattherearemarkedgenderdifferencesandthatwomeninBoranahavedifferentprioritiesandexpectations
about their livelihood situation and livelihood changes related to the WIGGs (Holt and Ribe 1991). Men are
thereforepurposefullyexcludedfromtheassessmenttoavoidabiasinthedata.
AnumberofprojectreportsinformaboutCAREinvolvementinsupportingcommunitybasedsavingsandcredit
groups and their income generating activities, project implementation modalities, and also describe related
livelihood changes. The information provided in these reports, however, is foremost of a qualitative nature.
BaselinedataonmeasurementsofWIGGparticipants livelihood indicators isnotavailable.Intheabsenceof
such baseline data the present PIA uses a control group women who are members of WIGGs that have
neitherreceivedsupport byCARE nor anyother NGO3 forcomparisonof livelihood indicators. Inaddition,
longitudinal data on livelihood changes is collected by recall, i.e. women who are members in the CARE
supportedWIGGscomparetheirpresentdaylivelihoodsituationwiththatbeforeparticipatinginthegroup.
ThePIAiscarriedoutatindividual andgrouplevel(Table1).Theindividual levelassessmentisconductedinthe
form of questionnairetype interviews with 120 women; 60 women from CARE groups and 60 women from
control
groups.
The
group
level
assessment
consists
of
10
group
discussions
facilitated
by
participatory
appraisal techniques with five to 10 women per group. Secondary sources of information, such as key
informant interviews and project reports are used for purposes of triangulation and to gain a better
understanding of the environment in which the project is implemented and how related contextual factors
1TheCAREsupportconsistsofadefinedpackageofprojectactivitiesimplementedbyCARE,partofwhichistheprovision
ofseedmoneytothegroups.Thisisdescribedinmoredetailthepreviouschapter1.2Inthe2008assessmentofCAREgroups(WIGGsandLMGs),56percentwereexclusivelycomposedofwomen(CARE
2008).Fromthetotalof22WIGGsinBorenaunderCAREsupport,eightgroupsalsohavemalemembersatpresent.3Itisimportanttonote,nevertheless,thatcontrolgroupsarenotentirelyunattendedbutreceivesupportfromtheCPO.
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influencethesuccessandfailureoftheWIGGs.ThevalidityofthePIAfindingsisfurthermoreconsolidatedby
assessingthesamelivelihoodaspectsthroughdifferentPRAtools.
2.2. SamplingFrame
Asdepictedinappendix1,thereareatpresent22WIGGsunderCAREsupportinBorena.Thegroupsareinsix
districts of Borena and have a total of approximately 1750 members of which about 1630 are women.
Differencesin
the
location
of
the
groups
importantly
determine
access
to
main
markets
and
proximity
to
larger
urbansettlements.Thegroupsthusformtwoclusters:a)remoteWIGGs,andb)WIGGsinproximitytourban
settlementsand/oramarket.SlightlymorethanhalfoftheWIGGshadobtainedseedmoneyfromCAREatthe
timeoftheassessment.
Outofthe22WIGGs,asampleof10WIGGswasselectedforthePIA.Intheselectionpreferencewasgivento
those groups that had received seed money. The purpose behind this sampling method is to allow the
assessmenttocapturethespecificbenefitsachievedbycomparativelystrongeroradvancedgroupsthathadto
make choices on how to utilize the seed money for the group. Furthermore, both clusters are equally
representedinthesample.Theindividualinterviewswerecarriedoutwitharandomsampleofsixmembersof
eachofthe10WIGGsandanothersixwomenrandomlysampledfromanalternativeincomegeneratinggroup
atthesame10locations.Table1givesanoverviewofthesamplingframe.
Table1:WIGGPIAsamplingframe
IndividualLevel GroupLevel
Individualinterviews Semistructuredgroupdiscussions
10CAREsupported
groups
6randomlysampled
womenofeachgroup totalof60 510womenpergroup
10controlgroups
6randomlysampled
womenofeachgroup totalof60
total 120women about80women
2.3. AssessmentTechniques
ThePRAtoolsasdepicted intable2wereusedtofacilitateguidedgroupdiscussionswith510membersper
group.Thediscussionsstartedbydeveloping atimelineoftheWIGGthatinformsabouttheageofthegroup,
keyevents,interventionsandactivities.Itincludesarecallofgoodsandservicesthatthegroupreceivedfrom
CAREandotheragencies.Thetimelinewasalsoutilizedtosetthetemporalboundaries4oftheproject(Catley
etal.2007)thatprovidethebasisforthelongitudinal approachtomeasuringimpact.
In thenextstepthegroupswereaskedto identifythe incomeearningactivitiesthat thewomenengaged in
sincetheWIGGintervention.Itwasdiscussedhowtheseactivitiesareperceivedtohavecontributedtooverall
household incomeand ifthesehavechangedthewayhouseholdscopewithdrought.Thewomenwerethen
askedtoranktheincomeearningactivitiesaccordingtotheirvalueinpositivelyeffectinghouseholdincome.
Theinitial
plan
included
simple
wealth
ranking
in
the
assessment,
which
was
soon
dropped
from
the
survey.
Thiswillbereferredtoinmoredetailintheresultschapter.Subsequentlylivelihoodindicatorswereidentified
withthefirstgroupsandkeptthroughouttheassessment.
Proportionalpilingwasusedtogivevaluestothelivelihoodindicatorsandtomakecomparisonsbetweenthe
timebeforetheWIGGsstartedandthepresentday.
4Temporalprojectboundariesareusedtodefinethebeforeandafterperiodsofanintervention.
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Abriefinstitutional analysisintheformofvenndiagramming(Guijt1998)wasusedtodescribeandcompare
the relevance of CARE interventions with those of other agencies, individuals, and/or institutions. The main
reasonbehind thistechnique istostrengthentheassessmentresults inrespect toprojectattributionandto
betterunderstandthecontextualfactorsthatinfluenceWIGGoutcomes.
Theindividualinterviewswerebasedonaquestionnairedepictedinappendix5.Thetechniqueofproportional
piling was used here with each individual to assess changes in income sources and expenditures. While this
technique only generates relative changes, these were found more reliable in its informative value than
accountsofabsoluteamountsofincomeandexpenditures.
Table2:BriefdescriptionofparticipatorymethodsusedintheWIGGimpactassessment
Assessmenttechnique Purpose Surveygroup
TimelineoftheWIGG Toidentifyeventsandinterventionsthatinfluenced
theevolutionofthegroup
510membersperWIGG
Rankingtheincome
earningactivities
Toevaluatetheutilityofdifferentincomeearning
activities
510membersperWIGG
Proportionalpiling TodeterminetheWIGGimpactonthewomen
livelihoods
510membersperWIGG
Tocompareexpenditures beforeandafterWIGG
involvement
Individualinterviews
Tocomparecontributionsofdifferent income
earningactivities
Individualinterviews
Venndiagram Toidentifyprojectattributionandcontextualfactors 510membersperWIGG
Semistructured
interviews
Basisforthegroupsdiscussions 510membersperWIGG
Guidelinesfortheinterviews Keyinformants
Structuredquestionnaire Togatherdatabaseattheindividuallevel Individualinterviews
2.4. DataAnalysis
Thedata
of
the
individual
questionnaires
was
entered
into
MS
Excel
spreadsheets
(Microsoft
Excel
2000,
MS
Office 2000, Microsoft Corporation). The data was subsequently checked and entryerrors corrected.
ResponsestoopenendedquestionsandoutcomesofgroupdiscussionsandrelatedPRAtoolsweretranscribed
into analyzable data formats. Data was subsequently transferred into STATGRAPHICS5 (XLSTAT Version
2008.6.03,Addinsoft19952008)forstatisticalanalysis.Descriptivestatisticswereusedforthepresentation of
findings.Whereapplicable,differencesinmeansandfrequencieswereanalyzed,usingrelevantparametricand
nonparametric test statistics. Unless otherwise indicated in the report, differences were not statistically
significant.Summarystatistics(descriptive)formembersofCAREgroupsandcontrolgroupsshowthatgeneral
householdcharacteristicsofbothgroupsaresimilar.ThesearefoundintheAppendix.
5www.statgraphics.com/
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Results
3.GroupProfilesofWomenIncomeGeneratingGroups
Anumberofsimilaritiesanddifferencesingroupprofilesand intheevolutionthegroupsunderwentbecome
apparentfromthetimelineinformationthatwascompliedingroupdiscussionswiththemembersoftheCARE
supportedWIGGs.
Tables
3and
Table
4below
give
transcribed
information
from
two
time
lines
that
were
put
togetherwithWIGGs inYabelloandTelteledistrictsofBorana.Box1depictsascannedcopyofoneoriginal
timelineofagroupdiscussioninYabello.
Table3:TranscribedtimelineoftheJirenyaWIGGintheYabelloWoreda
Key events Year Group activities of Jirenya WIGG in Yabello Woreda Inputs received from CARE
2006 WIGG establishment process
Group engaged in petty trade business
Group initiated cattle trade business (10 head ofcattle)
Women mobilization through CARE
CARE provided initial training and guided theset-up of the business plan
Genna rainsfailed
onset of2007/2008
drought
2007 Migration of some WIGG members
Interruption of savings scheme
With water from Dubuluk and hay from Yabello thewomen bring the cattle through the drought
Heavy rains endthe drought
2008 Savings scheme re-initiated
10 head of cattle are sold with a profit
Additional training courses received throughCARE (business management, savings andcredit)
CARE organized the cross-visit to Negele andHodja
Group received dairy utensils from CARE
Group receivesseed-moneyfrom CARE
2009 Group members engage in hay making
Grain trading imitated
Group builds grain store/office
CARE links the WIGG with grain traders
Source:PIAresults
Table4:TranscribedtimelineoftheHormataWIGGintheTelteleWoreda
Key events Year Group activities of Hormata WIGG in Teltele Woreda Inputs received from CARE
2005 The WIGG is established
Savings and credit scheme is initiatedThe areaexperiencesdrought andconflict
2006 WIGG savings and credit scheme is interrupted
Members migrate in search for water and pasture
Group stopped their activities entirely
2007 WIGG members return to their original place
WIGG receives revolving fund (12000ETB) grouploan from CPO
Group activities re-started
2008 WIGG repays 12000ETB to CPO CARE provides training (business management,hay making)
CARE conducts an experience sharing visit (withNazret and Nagelle)
CARE provides materials for building of astore/office
2009 WIGG engages in cattle trade Group receives seed-money from CARE
Source:PIAresults
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Box1:ScannedcopyofatimelinefromTeltele
Asdepictedintable5,exceptforoneWIGGwhereactivitiesstartedasearlyas1995,allgroupshavebeenin
operationforbetween35years(2004and2006).Theemphasisthewomenareplacingonthisrelativelyshort
groupengagement
reflects
the
time
horizon
of
CAREs
support
to
the
groups,
first
under
LPI
and
subsequently
undereitherRREADorELSEprojects.Womendeniedbelongingtosimilarsavingsandloangroupsinthepast.
InotherpartsofEthiopiaandacrosstheAfricancontinenttraditionalsavingsandloangroupsareverycommon
and constitute vital social and financial support institutions (IFAD, 1998). It is possible however, that such
institutionsdidnotnormallysuitethepastoralistcommunitylifestyleandrelatedexpectationsinthepast.
Womenofasmallnumberofgroupsreportedtohaveorganizedthemselvesintogroupsandstartedloanand
savings activities on their own initiative. The larger number of groups acknowledged outside intervention,
whichinsomecaseshasbeenCAREandinotherstheCPOthatgavetheinitialimpetustostartthegroup.
ThenumberofWIGGmembersrangesbetween33and50.Womennotedthatitwasnotadvisabletoengage
toomanymembers inoneWIGGinordertoremainabletomanagethegroupactivitieseffectively.Likewise,
proximityof
location
and
clear
interest
of
the
member
to
participate
in
group
activities
are
important
factors
in
determining group membership. Twogroups had stipulated bylaws of group membership, stating that only
communitymembersactivelyinvolvedinhaymakingwereeligibleWIGGmembers.
Table5:GeneralgroupcharacteristicsofthesurveyedtenCAREsupportedWIGGs
Name Kebele District Year
established
Numberof
members
Male/Female
membership
CARE
project
Seed
money
1 JireenaDikale Dikale Yabello 2006 36 Male/Female RREAD 25000ET
2 Bultuma Birindar Teltele 2006 33 Female ELSE 15000ET
3 Mude FuloTole Teltele 2006 36 Male/Female RREAD 25000ET
4 Hormata Birinda Teltele 2005 44 Female ELSE 15000ET
5 Derara Dikale Yabello 2006 34 Female ELSE 15000ET
6 Negeya Magado Dire 1995 52 Female ELSE 15000ET
7
Degaga
Jirenya
Chamuk
Moyale
2004
47
Male/Female
RREAD
25000ET
8 IbsaGemechu Mado Moyale 2006 50 Female ELSE 15000ET
9 QarsoQaliti Mado Moyale 2006 46 Female ELSE 15000ET
10 AbdiBori Mado Moyale 2006 37 Male/Female RREAD 25000ET
Source:PIAresults
CAREalreadystartedsupportingaWIGGschemeundertheBVRI.WiththestartoftheLPIprojectin2005these
activitieswere continued until2007. In 2008, CARE provided support toa number of newly selected WIGGs
under the ELSE and RREAD projects. At present, WIGG groups are supported by CARE under a trilateral
agreement between the group, CARE, and the CPO. About seven members per group participate in initial
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trainingstoenablethegrouptodevelopabusinessplan.Afterthebusinessplanisacceptedasviablegroups
becomeeligibletoreceiveseedmoney.Thetransactionofseedmoneytakesplaceviaabankaccountofthe
groupatthebank inoneofthelargertowns inthearea.Groupsarealsoencouragedtobuildanoffice/store
building for which theyoftenreceivesupport inprovisionof materialsand transport of thematerials to the
village.
Partlyrelatedtothedifferentprojectphases inwhich thegroupsformed,variations ingroupprofilescanbe
substantial.AdditionalinformationinAppendix3showsthatnotallgroupsthusfarreceivedthesametraining
components. The groups also engage in individual savings and credit schemes to suit the groups ability of
monthly savings and other obligations. Some groups have been disrupted by drought and conflict related
migration.Twogroupslostalltheirsavingsastheresultofaviolentconflict.Thetimelinesshowthatgroups
require adequately individualized support because differences in age and capacity make it necessary to
considerinputsinrelationtospecificgrouprequirements.
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4. LivelihoodImpactofCAREsupportedWIGGs
4.1. ChangesinLivelihoodIndicators
Comparison of relative importance of five key livelihood indicators6, namely child education, social
cohesion, knowledge, livestock assets and market access before and after the WIGG interventions is
depictedin
diagram
1.
Groups
of
women
of
the
CARE
supported
WIGGs
weighed
the
five
livelihood
indicators
comparingtheirpresentlivelihoodsituationwiththesituationbeforetheWIGGexited. Therelativesharesof
the livelihood indicators knowledge 7
, social cohesion and market access markedly increased over the
timeoftheWIGGinterventions. Livestockassets7significantlydecreased.
Diagram1:LivelihoodindicatorsofCAREsupportedWIGGsbeforeandafterprojectinterventions(N=10)
Note:ForthelivelihoodindicatorsknowledgeandlivestockassetsthetestfordifferencesinmeansbeforeCAREsupportandin2009is
significantatp
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thewomengeneratefromthem.Theresultingknowledgeandheightenedawarenessabouttheopportunities
in reach of the women have an extremely strong motivating effect. As a result the women consider
knowledgethekeytothechangesthattheyexperiencedasaresultoftheirgroupengagement.Box2further
belowgivessometypicalexpressionsthatthewomenusedtoexplainthevalueofknowledgeandhowithas
turnedintoakeyfactorcontributingtotheirempowerment.
Socialcohesion,theabilityofthewomentorelyonanenhancedsocialnetworkandthegroupsupport in
managingvariousaspectsoftheirlivelihood,e.g.business,decisionmaking,financialandlaborassistance,and
solvingfamilyconflict,islikewiseimportantlyincreasedsincetheWIGGinvolvement.
Box2:TypicalstatementsofCAREsupportedwomenWIGGmembersshowingelementsofempowerment
Source:PIAresults
Contrarytothediagramresultsthatdepictadiminishingroleofchildeducationlivelihoodindicator,thishas
remainedstableifnotincreased.Womenexplainedthatduetomoreschools,educatingchildrenhasbecome
easier and especially the education of girls has increased. Women emphasized the importance of girls
education.In
some
groups
women
said
they
have
always
taken
care
to
educate
at
least
some
of
their
children,
thoughmostlyboys,butwithmorefinancialresourcesavailabletheynowsendtheirchildrenfurtherawayand
canprovidehighereducation(collegeanduniversity).Asaresultoftheproportionalpilingtechnique,however,
wherethewomenmaintainthesameamountofstones,schoolremainedlessemphasizedduetotheattention
giventochangesintheearliermentionedindicators.
AsreflectedinsomeofthekeyexpressionsofthegroupdiscussionslistedinBox2,themembershipinWIGGs
hashadanimportantempoweringeffectonthewomen.Womenunanimouslyemphasizedthecrucialrolethat
theknowledge,informationandexposureplaysincontributingtotheirempowermentandthesuccessofthe
incomeearningactivities.Interestingly,womenopposedasimplewealthrankingonthegroupsthat itwould
havetoaccommodatewealthintermsofknowledge.Whilethewomenunambiguously explainedthebenefits
oftheincomegeneratingactivities,theirperspectiveisthatknowledgewasthefoundationandthusthemore
vitalchange
in
their
lives.
Some
women
went
as
far
as
stating
wealth
would
be
meaningless
without
knowledge
andawareness.Theemphasis thatwomen place in linking knowledgeand income diversification shows that
CAREhastakentherightdirection inprojectsupportbynotjustprovidingcapitalmeans intheformofseed
money,but by making sure that sufficient and adequate trainings and crossvisits giveexposure, knowledge
andskillstothewomen.
Thewealthisinourheads.
Beforetheheadwaswiththemen,nowitiswiththewomen.
Moneyisuselesswithouttraining.
Beforeallthelivestockwaswiththemen.Nowwealsoown
livestock
Wenowtakepartinthedecisionmakingofourcommunities
Sinceweparticipatedinthetrainingsandcrossvisits,themen
aremoreeasywithustraveling
thegroupalsoassistsinsolvingfamilyconflict
Wearenowmoreoftenconsultedbythemen
Wearenowaskedtoparticipateincommunitymeetings
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5. IncomeDiversificationofWIGGParticipants
5.1. GroupIncomeEarningActivities:SuccessandFailures
Based on project experiences in the region (CARE/ELSE 2009; Deneke 2009), and an earlier feasibility study
(Griffith2008),theWIGGsareadvisedtoengageinpettytradeasthefirstjointbusinessactivity.Pettytrade8
involvesrelatively
small
investments
and
is
comparatively
less
risk
prone.
The
women
themselves
confirmed
thatthisadvice is in linewiththeirownpreferredengagement in incomeearningactivities. Typicallywomen
startwithgroupactivitiesandonlylaterdowomentakeloanstoinvestintheirindividualsmallenterprise.
Onceexperiencehasbeengainedwithpettytrade, larger investmentsareundertaken.Usuallythese involve
the purchase of livestock, foremost cattle for fattening. Donkeys and camels have been bought to ease
transport for group activities. Mixed accounts were given about the success of livestock purchases. Some
women groups were able to make profit from periodic fluctuations in livestock prices. They bought cattle
relativelycheaperduringthedrymonthsandsolditwhenpricesarehigh.However,othergroupshadtosell
during a low price period. The women regretted the loss, but remained positive, saying to have learned a
lesson. Another group had lost their investment into two camels, because the animals died. One group
informedabouttheirplantoengageinlargescaletradewithsheepthatwouldbeindemandoncerestocking
activitiesof
another
NGO
would
commence
at
the
end
of
adrought.
AnotherincomeearningactivityoftheWIGGs,onethatalreadydemonstratesamoreadvancedstateofgroup
development, isthetradewithmaizeorothercerealsthatare indemand locally.Thiscanbeavery lucrative
activity for the women as the bulk purchase and organizedbulk transport offers considerable economiesof
scale.TheWIGGs,however,requireassistancefromprojectstafftolinkthemupwithcerealtraders,whocan
havetheirwarehousesasfarasShashamene,Sidamoregion.
Lessconventional activities that thewomenengage inarecrop farming,preservationandsalesofhidesand
skins, renting out improved grazing land, harvesting salt from a saltmine and offering loan services to
outsiders. The project also encouraged dairy processing and marketing, which was not taken up yet by the
womenwhoarguedthattheywouldneedtrainingintheuseofthesmallscalemilkhandlingequipmentthat
theCARE
project
supplied
them
with.
While the women confirmed their business success in petty trade, cattle fattening and cereal trade, crop
farminghasbeenamajorstrainontwooutofthethreegroupswhoventuredintothisactivity.Harvestsfailed
and the missinvestment was a gross disappointment to the women, affecting group motivation very
negatively.Cropfarming isanactivitythatthewomencanseldomcarryoutrelyingontheirown laborforce
only. Commonly the men of their households are requested to assist with the clearing of the fields. The
negative impact of such failures thus affects not only the women but also makes the men suspicious and
reluctanttofurthersupporttheirwivesgroupengagement.
Table 6givesan overview of theWIGG income generating activitiespresently undertakenand theresultsof
their ranking according to their importance in generating additional income. While the profits gained from
petty
trade
can
be
variable,
grain
sales
have
a
higher
margin,
and
cattle
fattening
achieves
a
higher
lump
sum
cashincome.Thewomenemphasizedthattheystillrankedpettytradefirst,basedon itsreliablereturnsand
lowerrisksinvolved.
8Pettytradecommoditiesaresugar,salt,tea,tobaccoandsimilargoods.
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Table6:OverviewofWIGGengagementindifferentincomegeneratingactivitiesandtheirrankings
Mostcommonincomeearningactivities Lessconventionalincomeearningactivities
Rank Groupandindividuallevel Grouplevel
1 Pettytrade
Cropfarming,hides/skinpreservationandtrade,
rentingoutgrazingland,offeringloanservices2 Cattlefattening
3 Graintrade
Source:PIAresults
5.2. BeneficialNon-cashGroupActivities
Thereareadditionalgroup activities thatarenotundertaken with the objective toearncash profit, but still
importantlyandpositivelyimpactonthewomenlivelihoods.Theseareforemosthaymakingandintwocases
investments in setting up water cisterns. One particularly strong WIGG has built two cisterns for their
communitiesoverthecourseofthepastsixyears.Thewomenidentifiedtheneedtopreservewaterduringthe
rainyseasonsinordertohaveareserveforthedrymonths.Whenthefirstcisternwasinsufficienttohelpthe
entirecommunitysustainoneprolongeddrought,theyinvestedinthebuildingasecondandlargercistern.The
women collaborated with the men of their households in this activity, who assisted in the digging of the
ground. The same women were also successfully engaged in harvesting salt from a nearby saltmine and
motivated
the
entire
Kebele
to
preserve
hay
by
their
example
and
admonitions.
The
women
of
the
WIGG
narratedthatsufficienthayandtheabilitytotakesmall loansfromtheWIGGstoovercomeshortperiodsof
foodshortagecanpreventafamilyfromhavingtomigratewiththeirlivestockinsearchforbettergrazingland.
Thisrepresentsanimportantpositivelivelihoodimpact.
HaymakingisadvocatedbyCARE,aswellasthroughtheCPOandotheragencyinterventionsinthearea.All
groups reported to have received training in hay making, had organized themselves for this task and were
activelyundertakinghaypreservationperiodically.Allgroupsperceivedtheactivityasveryuseful inorderto
maintain livestock feed supplies over the dry months. The groups thatwere found to be more successful in
carryingoutotheractivities (IGAandsavings) likewisemorestronglyvaluedthebenefitsofhaymaking.One
group turned land that had initially been allocated for crop faming into grazing land. After the crop harvest
faileddueto lackofrains,thewomendecidedthattheycouldstillgain incomefromrentingthe landoutfor
livestockuse.
TwoWIGGsreportedtoofferloanservicesbeyondtheirgroupmemberstooutsiders.Theinterestthatpeople
payontheloanisanadditionalincomeforthegroup.Whilethisactivityisinnovative,workswellforthegroup
andarguablyservesadirelocalneedtohaveaccesstosmallshorttermamountsofcredit,itisunclearwhether
thisisnotanactivitythatonlyformallyregisteredfinancialinstitutionsareallowedtooffertotheirclients.
5.3. RelativeChangesinIncomefromIndividualIncomeEarningActivities
Diagram2depictstherelativechangesindifferentincomesourcesforCAREandcontrolgroupsatpresentand
in the time before WIGG interventions. Both CARE and control groups derive similar overall income shares,
namely42.3%and38.1%respectively, fromlivestockandlivestockproductsales.Moreover,bothgroupshares
fromlivestock
related
income
have
not
changed
in
association
with
the
WIGG
involvement.
Therelativechangesinincomefromtradeandothersources9aremorepronouncedforwomeninthecontrol
groups.Theincomesharefromtradehasimportantlyincreasedwhiletheincomesharefromothersourcesof
incomehasmarkedlydecreasedsincetheWIGG involvement. The increase inthe incomesharefromtrade is
expectedtotakeplaceasaresultofWIGGinvolvementandassuchwouldrepresentapositiveoutcome.Inthe
case of the CARE supported WIGGs, the changes in income shares from trade are smaller and remain
considerablybelowtheseofcontrolgroups.However,thewomenoftheCAREsupportedWIGGsexperienceda
9OtherincomesourcearefirewoodandPSNP
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markeddropinincomesharesfromcropfarming.Thelargestpositivechangeinincomeshareisderivedfrom
anincreaseinrelativeincomefromothersources.
Therelativechangesinincomederivedfromtrade(pettytrade)aremarkedlylargerforwomenofthecontrol
groupsthanforthewomenofCAREgroups,wherethepositivechange isnotverypronounced.Thisresult
showing that women of CARE supported groups might not have benefited as much from petty trade10
is
difficultto interpret. It is,however,partlyrelatedtothePRAtechniquethatdoesnot informaboutabsolute
overall changes in income. It must also be noted that the data informs about individual income generating
activities,not thesuccessofgroup incomegeneratingactivities. It ispossible that thewomenofthecontrol
groupsaresimplymoresuccessfulinpettytrade.TheycouldalsoreceivemuchstrongersupportfromtheCPO,
whichcouldbackfireintermsofprojectsustainability.
AtleasttwooftheCAREsupportedWIGGgroupsexperiencedtotalcropfailures.Itisthereforenotsurprising
thattheshareofindividualincomefromcropfarmingisnegative,asthecropfailurewasattributedtodrought.
Diagram2:ComparisonofindividualincomegeneratingactivitiesbeforeandafterWIGGinvolvementfor
membersofCAREgroups(N=56)andcontrolgroups(N=61)
Source:PIAresults
5.4. Female-headedHouseholdBenefitedmostfromtheWIGGActivities
Sincethe individualquestionnairecaptures informantsgenderhistory,comparisonofthe loanscollectedfor
tradepurposesandtheproportionof incomeobtainedfromthesetradeactivitiesbeforeandaftertheWIGG
initiativewas implemented ispossible.The teststatisticsusedhere toestablishsignificantdifferences ischi
square. The analysis was repeated for two distinct gender groups women who are the head of their
household and women from maleheaded households to find out who benefited more from the WIGG
initiative. The comparison was done using data obtained from a total of 104 maleheaded and 13 female
headedindividualinformantsthatwererandomlysampledfromthelistsofmembersoftheWIGGs.
TheassessmentshowedthatfollowingtheWIGGbasedtradeinitiativetheproportionofincomederivedfrom
tradeactivityincreasedasfollows:
10Notethatthesearerelativechangesandtheabsoluteamountsareunknown
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Overall,theproportionofincomegeneratedfromtradeactivitiesincreasedfrom13.4%to20.3%,beinga
51.8%incrementonaverage.
On average, the proportion of income generated from trade activities by femaleheaded households
increased from 10.75% to 19.85%, being a 84.6% increment. On average, the proportion of income
generated from trade activity by maleheadedhouseholds only increased from 15.8% to 20.7%, being a
29.7%increment.
Inboth,theCAREbeneficiaryandcontrolWIGGsstudied,onaverage,thefemaleheadedhouseholdshave
borrowedsignificantlyhigheramountsofmoneyfromtheirWIGGfortradepurposethanthemaleheaded
households.
Inbothfemale andmaleheadedCAREbeneficiaryhouseholds,theamountofmoneyborrowedfortrade
purpose after the CARE seedmoney was significantly higher than the amount of money borrowed for
tradepurposebeforetheCAREseedmoneywasreceived..
In the CARE beneficiary WIGGs, on average, the proportion of income generated from trade activity by
female andmaleheadedhouseholdsincreasedfrom7.8%to8.7%andfrom14.1%to17.2%,beingaround
12%and22%incrementrespectively.
In the control WIGG studied, on average, the proportion of income generated from trade activity by
female
and
maleheaded
households
increased
from
13.7%
to
31%
and
from
17.9%
to
24.3%,
being
around36%and26%incrementrespectively.
Although the findings of the assessment showed that the WIGG members income from trade activity was
generally improving,variousfundingandpolicychangesremaintobeaddressed.These includethegenerally
verypoorfinancialcapacityoftheWIGGsandtheabsenceofreliablesourceofcreditfacility inBorenaarea.
TheaverageWIGGmembershipperiodofinformantsofthisassessmentwascalculatedat50monthsand45
monthsforthemembersoftheCAREbeneficiaryandcontrolWIGGstudiedrespectively.Thetotalamountof
moneyborrowedbymembersoftheCAREbeneficiaryandcontrolWIGGsduringtheseperiodswas41,555ETB
and36,420ETB,therefore,theaverageamountcollectedpermonthperwomanwas15.80ETBand13.25ETB
respectively.Inthisregard,thewomenexplainedtheimpactoftheinsufficientworkingcapitalontheirincome
fromtradeactivity.
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6. GroupLoanandSavingsOperations
6.1. GroupSavings
AllWIGGsstartedtheirgroupengagementaroundtheloanandsavingsfunctionwithagreementsonmonthly
orweeklycontributionstoacommongroupfund.Thesefinancialschemesarecomparatively simpleandeasy
tohandle
without
prior
banking
knowledge.
What
is
required,
however,
is
diligent
recording
which
is
not
easy
for the women who are mostly illiterate. The other main planning obligation for the groups is to set up a
business plan and to decide on their group income earning activities. The returns of the group income
generatingactivities,thesavingsand intereston loansallservetobuildupthegroupscapital.Somegroups
possessimpressivecapitalresources.
The groups that started operations under outside interventions immediately adopted a fixed scheme that
consists of membership fee11
, share12
and monthly savings13
. The specific amounts of these individual
contributionsareagreeduponbythegroupmembersandvaryfromgrouptogroup.Table7givesanoverview
over the approximate amounts contributed by the women across different groups. Loans are typically paid
backintime.Veryfewcasesofbreachingtheloanandsavingsobligationwererecorded.Thebreachingofthe
agreementleadstoexpulsionfromthegroup.
Somewomengroupsagreedonverysmallmonthlysavingsamountsinitiallyandwereimpressedbytheeffect
thateventhesesmallsumswouldmakeintermsofaccumulatingfundsthatenablethemtotakeloansintimes
of need. Women acknowledged that the loan and savings scheme also taught them the value of regular
savings.
Table7:WIGGsavingsandgroupfundcontributions
Savingsandloancontributions Rangeofamountsgroupsagreedupon
Monthlysavings 310Birr
Registrationfee 2080Birr
Share 2080Birr
612monthsloan 10%interest
Source:PIA
results
6.2. LoansandthePurposeofLoansTaken
Morethantwothirdsofthewomenmemberstake loansfor individualpurposesfromtheirrespectiveWIGG
funds;namely68%and75%womenoftheCAREsupportedWIGGsandofthecontrolWIGGs,respectively.The
minimumamountborrowed hasbeen50ETBandthemaximumbetween4000and6000ETB. Theaverage
loanstakenbywomenofCAREandcontrolWIGGsoverthepast12monthsaredepictedinDiagram3.
ThewomenoftheCAREsupportedWIGGshaveborrowedanoverallaverageofabout742ETBandthewomen
of the control WIGG have borrowed an overall average of about 597 ETB. Women of the CARE supported
WIGGs
borrowed
considerably
more
money
for
petty
trade
purposes
(557
ETB
by
CARE
supported
WIGGscomparedto341ETBbythecontrolWIGGs).WomenoftheCAREsupportedWIGGsalsoborrowedmarkedly
more money for child education (104 ETB by CARE supported WIGGs compared to 13 ETB by the control
WIGGs).Womenofthecontrolgroupsborrowedmoremoneyfor foodpurchases,namelyabout163ETBas
opposedtoabout24ETBbytheCAREsupportedWIGGs.
11ThemembershipfeeispaidonceintothegroupfundandalsorequestedbytheCPO
12Theshareispaidintothegroupfundanddeterminestheindividualamountspaidoutintimesof
redistributionoffundstothemembers13
Afixedsumusuallypaidonamonthlybasis
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Diagram3:AverageloanstakenbywomenofCAREgroups(N=56)andcontrolgroups(N=61)overthepast
12months
Source:PIAresults
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7. CopingStrategiestoMitigatetheEffectsofDroughtAbouthalfoftheWIGGshaveadopteddroughtmitigationstrategies.Thesearecollectiveactionsdevisedby
thewomenof the groups to overcome the effectsofdrought. Eachgrouphaselaborated theirownspecific
activitiesrequiringtheallocationofdifferentfinancialandotherresources.Thecopingstrategiesarenotsimply
focusing on the wellbeing of the women and their families alone, but typically embrace the welfare of the
entirecommunity.
Themostdistinctactionsareasfollows:
TenheadofcattlearesustainedoveradroughtbytheconcertedeffortsandresourcesofaWIGG;
TheWIGGinitiatescollectivehaycollectionintheirlargercommunity;
Agroupdecidedtouseitssavingstopurchasewaterforpeopleandlivestock;
Agroupconstructstwowatercisternsforthemselvesandtheircommunity;
ThreegroupsdecidetopayofftheWIGGgroupsavingstoitsmembersforindividualpurchasesoffood
items.
ItisforemosttheWIGGsthataresuccessfullyengagedingroupincomegeneratingactivitiesanddemonstrate
tobe
well
organized
that
have
adopted
drought
mitigating
strategies.
Most
unconventional
is
the
decision
to
payoffgroupfundsinanemergency,asthisisnotpartofanytrainingadviceandnotaformalfunctionofthe
WIGG.Ithelpedsomefamiliestoavoidmigrationandhadastrongpositivelivelihoodimpactonthefamilies.
8. AgencyInterventionsinSupportofWIGGs
8.1. CARESupporttoWIGGs
Box3givesanoverviewoverthevarioustypesofsupporttheWIGGsreceivedfromCARE.Therearespecific
training sessions and organized crossvisits to other groups, both aiming to provide the knowledge and
experiencethatthewomenneedtobewellorganized,tomaintainproperloanandsavingsoperationsandto
successfullyengageintheirincomegenerating activities.
Mostofthegroupshadreceivedhaymakingtrainingandsomeformoftraininginsmallbusinessmanagement
and/orgrouporganizationand leadership. A fewgroups reported training in hides and skinspreservation.A
numberofWIGGshadreceivedsmallscaleequipmentformilkprocessingbutnogroupreportedtohaveused
it.Theyeithercomplainedthattherewasnomilkduetodroughtorthattheyhadnotbeengiventhetraining
thatwouldteachthemintheuseoftheequipment.CAREprojectstaffalsoassistsinlinkingtheWIGGstograin
traderswhenrequired.
CAREalsoassists inprovidingmaterial inputs,suchasconstructionmaterials for thebuildingofstoreand/or
office.Somegroupsalsoreportedtohavereceivedofficestationary,suchasbooksforrecordkeeping,stamps,
etc..Theinputsandsupportarenotdeliveredinauniformmanner,whichispartlyrelatedtothefactthatall
groupsarealsosupportedthroughtheCPO.CAREcollaborateswiththeCPOandmanyactivitiesarecarriedout
jointlyby
the
two
agencies.
Typically
the
CPO
provides
staff
and
trainers
and
CARE
provides
the
logistics
and
financialmeansrequiredforthetrainingorcrossvisits.
CAREalsogaveoutseedmoneytotheWIGGsinterviewed(seeAppendix3),butthishasonlyhappenedvery
recently.TheCAREseedmoneyhadbeentransferredtothegroupsbetweenJanuaryandJune2009.Fiveof
WIGGshadnotyetreceivedthemoneyatthetimeoftheassessment.
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Box3:TrainingsandotherCAREinputs
Training: Provisionofconstructionmaterials:
Savingsandcredit Concrete,corrugatedironsheets,transport
Businessmanagement Provisionofofficestationarymaterials
Milkprocessing Seedmoney14
Hay
making
Hidesandskins
Source:PIAresults
8.2. OtherSupportingAgenciesandCAREProjectAttribution
Table8providestheresultsofasimpleinstitutional analysisintheformofthevenndiagramtechniquewhere
women identified CAREs and other agencies and institutions linkages and/or support to the WIGGs (a
scanned copyofavenndiagram isshown inbox4).The typesofagenciesnamesand theirrole isrelatively
straightforward.Groupsaresupportedbyasmallnumberofagenciesandinstitutions,foremostCAREandthe
CPO. In terms of perceived closeness and usefulness in support activities CARE holds the first position with
ranks1and
2.
The
CPO
is
equally
close
and
useful.
Some
groups,
however,
also
expressed
discontent
with
the
CPOintermsoftheirinfrequentvisitsanddemandforgroupregistrationfees.Crosscheckinginformationon
agencyinvolvementshowedthatthewomenwerenotalwaysabletocorrectlydifferentiatebetweenCPOand
CARE interventions. This is not surprising, given that both agencies collaborate closely at times, with CARE
providingfinancialandlogisticalinputswhileCPOsenttheirstafftocarryouttrainingandcrossvisits.
Box4:ScannedcopyofvenndiagramfromofagroupinYabello
Schoolshavebeenmentionedreflectingtheimportanceofliteracyinordertocarryoutrecordingtasks.Often,
the women rely on their children who go to school. Some women received brief instruction in reading and
writing,but
found
it
insufficient
to
actually
do
the
recording
themselves.
Trades
are
mentioned
in
recognition
oftheirroleinsupplyingthegoodsforthepettytrade,grainandlivestocktrade.Theyarenotconsideredclose
tothegroups,thoughsincethewomenfindtheirpricedemandsunfair.
WhiletheKebeleOffice isattimesperceivedashelpful,sincethewomenfindapersontheretoassist inthe
recoding, it isnotrankedhighly.Womenrelyontheofficeforadministrativepurposes,butsaidthattheydo
notfindthekindofsupporttheywouldhopetoget.
1415000ETBunderELSE,25000underRREADprojects
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Table8:RankingagenciesfortheirsupportanduseforWIGGs
Agency/InstitutionRankingPosition Inputsandbenefitsreceivedfromtheagency
CARE 1/2 Grouporganization,training,seedmoney, linkages, materials
CPO 2/1/5
Grouporganization,training,legalprocedures, recordkeeping,link
toCARE
School
3
Enablesdirectly/indirectly
record
keeping
HealthPost 4/3/2 Heightenedawarenessonhygieneandsanitation
Traders 3/5/6 Cattleandgraintrade
KebeleOffice 4/5 Recordkeeping,administrativesupport
Bank,Community/customers,RedCross
Source:PIAresults
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9. Discussion
9.1. TheAppropriatenessoftheParticipatoryImpactAssessment
Approach
This impact assessment was undertaken with the primary aim of identifying and measuring the impact on
livelihoodsof
women
participating
in
the
CARE
supported
WIGGs
in
Borana,
Southern
Ethiopia.
Prior
to
the
assessment a number of studies informed about the success of the CARE supported WIGGs. These have,
however,beenindividualaccountsornarrativesintheformofcasestudies.Aspecificemphasisofthepresent
assessment has thus been to use an approach that generates representative information, where possible
numerical,andstatisticallyvalidated.
The assessment approach therefore combined participatory appraisal techniques with a more conventional
surveycomponent.Theparticipatoryappraisal,mostlyintheformofgroupdiscussionssupportedbyanumber
of PRA tools, provides the indepth information necessary to understand the complex local livelihood
perspectiveofthewomenWIGGmembers.Thesurvey,ontheotherhand,usedaquestionnairetype inquiry
carried out with representative samples of women from CARE supported WIGGs and control WIGGs. In
addition,key informant interviewsandreviewsofsecondarysourcematerialsassistedtoelucidatethe larger
WIGGcontext
and
served
triangulation
purposes.
Theexpectations intothecombinedassessmentapproachhavebeen largelymet.Thegroupdiscussionswith
tenCAREsupportedWIGGsinBoranaproducedaclearpictureofthelivelihoodchangesthattookplacesince
thewomenparticipate in thegroups. Italsohelpedtogeneratetheunderstanding necessary toplace these
findings into its larger context. During the field work it became apparent, however, that much of the
quantitative data sought after would not be generated. Since the respondents were, with few exceptions,
illiterate women, many of whom newly ventured into small enterprise with little former experience. Their
understanding aboutconceptssuchasprofit,incomeandhouseholdassetswasveryvaried.Grouprecordsare
available about the members savings and loans, but not how these are utilized within the household.
However,thenumericaldatacollectedinthisassessmentcanservefuturestudiesasbaselinedata.
The
participatory
methodology
used
in
this
assessment
is
useful
and
highly
recommendable.
It
gives
the
womensufficientroomtoexpresstheirperceptionsandtoprovideexplanationstoplacelivelihoodchangesin
thelocalcontext.Itmustbenotedthatrelatedindicators,evenwhentheyareexpressednumericallyshouldbe
regarded rough estimates. The findings furthermore demonstrate that an approach that generates indepth
understanding attheexpenseofmorenumericalresults isappropriatethatatthispoint intime.Whilethere
have been monetary gains, the nontacit benefits dynamics leading to women empowerment are more
importanttothewomenatpresent.
Afollowupassessmentcanmakeuseofthedataasabaseline.However,itisrecommendedtoconsideraless
participatoryapproachbutemphasizethegatheringofmoredetailedhouseholddatainstead,ifitisaimedat
gainingabetterideaofaquantifiable impactathouseholdlevel.
9.2. Successesand
Challenges
of
the
Women
Income
Generating
Groups
The findings of the group discussions ascertain that the majority of CARE supported WIGGs are successfully
engaged ingroup income generatingactivities, foremostpetty trade,grain tradeand cattle fattening.About
70% of the WIGG members take small loans from the group funds for individual small enterprise and other
investmentsandexpenditures.
In comparison to the control groups, CARE supported WIGGs take up higher loans and utilize them more
frequentlytoinvestinchildeducationandpettytrade.WomenofCAREsupportedWIGGshavetakenupsmall
enterprise activities individually, benefit from the saving and loan services of the groups, and diversify their
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income, but changes in relative income are not significant. However, while differences in use of loans and
incomediversificationbetweentheCAREgroupsandthecontrolgroupsarenotsignificant,thePIAfoundthat
thewomenoffemaleheadedhouseholdsborrowedsignificantlyhigheramountsofmoneyfromtheirWIGGs
fortradepurposesthanthoseofmaleheadedhouseholds.Similarlytheproportionof incomeobtainedfrom
trade activities by the female headed households was significantly higher than that of the male headed
households. Gemetessa at al. (2005) show that a comparatively large number of households in Borana are
femaleheaded
households
(up
to
30%
in
some
areas)
and
that
these
households
are
disproportionally
more
often among the poor and destitute. This suggests that the WIGG approach that CARE implements has a
particularlystrongpositiveimpactonthemostvulnerablehouseholds.
Moreover,beforetheWIGGschemewasinitiatedincomefromsalesoffirewoodstoodsecondtoincomefrom
livestock, which accounted for 34.0% and 29.3% of the total household income respectively in the femla
headedhouseholds. FollowingtheWIGG initiativestheproportionofincomeobtainedfromsalesoffirewood
declinedfrom29.3%to25%astheirincomefromtradeactivityincreasedfrom10.5%to19%.Thepromotion
oftheWIGGinitiativehasnotonlyhadapositiveimpactontheincomeoffemaleheadedhouseholds,buthas
alsoreducedtheir levelofdependencyonsalesoffirewood,reducingrelatedrisksofenvironmentaldamage
andnaturalresourcedepletion.
Female
illiteracy
and
temporary
migration
caused
by
drought
and
conflict
are
important
challenges
for
theoperationoftheWIGGs.However,projectexperiencesofarhasshownthatthesechallengescanbeovercome.
Inthisregard,theCAREprojectstafffollowsastateoftheartparticipatoryapproachandfacilitatesthegroups
insteadofimposingparticularactivities.Nevertheless,thewomenneedadequatetraininginliteracyandbasic
calculus.Whiletechnicalandmanagementtrainingcomponentsarehighlyappreciated,theliteracyclassesare
consideredinsufficient.Asaresultthewomendependonoutsidehelp,mostcommonlytheirchildren,forthe
grouprecordingwhichcanonlybeatemporarysolution.
TheWIGGshavedemonstratedthattheywillreinitiategroupactivitiesafterthemembershavereturnedfrom
temporary migrations. There were no signs that temporary disruptions endanger the vitality of the groups.
Nevertheless, in order to make migration as little disruptive to the groups as possible, the WIGGs might be
advisedtotakeupmeasuresthatwillensureasmoothcontinuation oftheWIGGactivitiesafterthetemporary
break.These
could
be
stipulated
in
the
group
bylaws.
It
is
furthermore
important
to
note
that
strong,
well
organizedWIGGsdeviseinnovativestrategiestomitigatetheeffectsofdrought,asdiscussedinmoredetail in
the next chapter. Notably, the women groups show a vital concern for their community welfare and often
encourage the entire community to get involved in activities such as hay making or to contribute to water
preservation.
ThemostseverechallengethatjeopardizestheviabilityofanumberofWIGGsaffectsthosegroupsthatare
closely supervised by the Cooperative Promotion Office (CPO). The CPO tends to impose specific income
earningactivitiesonthegroupsorrushesthemtojoinintoformallagercooperativeunits,despitethegroups
lackoforganizationalcapacityforthatstep.WhilethecollaborativepartnershipbetweenCAREandtheCPOis
perceivedasmutuallyadvantageousandofimportantbenefittotheprojectparticipantsinthelongrun,both
agenciesoperatewithconflictingobjectives.TheCPOworksunderapolicydirectivethataimsatgraduatingas
manyWIGGs
as
quickly
as
possible
into
larger
units
of
cooperatives.
CARE
supported
groups
on
the
other
hand
are individually supported with the aim to promote the sort of group capacity building that ensures
sustainability and selfreliance of the WIGGs. While the certification of WIGGs under the CPO grants them
formal status and better access to financial capital, the push towards forming large formal WIGGs that can
quicklybe merged into cooperatives forms the single most importantchallenge for CAREsWIGG scheme at
present.IntheprocessofscalinguptheWIGGapproach,CAREwillhavetofindnewwaysofworkingwiththe
CPO and both agencies might have to redefine their roles and actions with regard to the CARE supported
WIGGs.
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9.3. TheRoleofSocialEmpowerment
ThePIAfindingssuggestthataverysignificantlivelihoodchangethatthewomenexperiencedthusfarisnon
economic and relates to a range of factors that contribute to women empowerment. Where the women
explained how they benefited from the WIGG membership, they emphasized a substantial increase in
knowledgeand selfesteem.Theypointedout that thecombinationof more knowledgeand experience and
enhancedsocialcohesionamonggroupmembersenhancestheirsocialempowermenttothedegreethatthey
are
now
invited
by
the
male
members
of
their
communities
to
participate
in
community
decisionmaking
processes.
Thesefindingsare in linewiththeoutcomesofearlierstudies inBorana(CARE/ELSE2008;Griffith2008)and
the more general expectations into the effect of such communitybased groups (Premchander 1994).
Experienceselsewhere inEthiopia(CAREnodate)andotherpartsofAfrica(IFAD1998)documentthatsocial
empowermentistypicallythefirstnoticeableandmostsubstantialpositivechangeinthelivesofwomenwho
participateinCBOsandsuccessfulgroupincomegeneratingactivities.
However,thefactthatwomenplace lessemphasisonmore tangible,economicbenefitsderived fromgroup
membership should not be interpreted as a shortcoming. In fact, the women explain that they regard their
empowermentandnewlygainedknowledgeasthebasisforpresentandfuturesuccessinsmallenterprise.In
addition,with
an
average
age
of
four
to
five
years,
most
CARE
supported
groups
are
still
comparatively
young.
Often,tangibleimpactisnotexpectedbeforegroupshavebecomefunctionalandsustainable,whichalonecan
beexpectedtotakethreeyears(PARIMA2008).
ThisoutcomeofthePIA isofparticularconsequence incorrectlyunderstandingthevalueofdifferent inputs
that CARE provides to the groups. While it has been suggested that financial capital is insufficient for the
WIGGstoallowmemberstoproperlyinvestinindividualsmallenterprise,theroleoftrainingandcrossvisitsis
evenmorehighlyappreciatedbythewomen.Thisisdoneonthebasisthatitprovidesthefoundationforany
business success. Social empowerment also enhances indirect impact of the WIGGs within the larger
community.WhileitmightbeadvisableforCAREtolookintoalternative optionsofprovidingthegroupswith
morefinancialcapital,attentionshouldnotshiftawayfromtrainingsandcrossvisits.Thelattershouldrather
bemaintainedifnotintensified.
9.4. State-of-the-artApproachestoWIGGsandthePastoralLivelihood
Context
Concerns have been voiced about the appropriateness of utilizing an approach that combines traditional
savingsandloangroupsandincomegeneratingactivitiesinthepastorallivelihoodcontextbecausemigration,
illiteracyand limitedmarketaccesshaveshowntoworkagainsttheseschemes.Contrarytothisexpectation,
thefindingsoftheassessmentdemonstratepositiveimpactoftheWIGGapproachonlivelihooddiversification,
theprimaryaimoftheCAREsupportedactivities.
The CARE approach that builds on facilitation rather than outside interference promotes strong WIGGs that
undertakewellplannedandwellorganizedgroupactivities.Anumberofgroupshave takenupnew ideas in
engaging
inincome
generating
activities
and
confidently
experiment
with
their
savings
and
loan
operations
therewithrespondingtolocalneeds.
TheexamplesofWIGGdroughtmitigationstrategiesandsuccessfulriskmanagementdescribed inthereport
demonstrate that the specific roles that WIGGs can play in the pastoral context are beginning to emerge.
Womenempowermentiscertainlyonekeyfeature.Moreover,thewomenshowagreatconcernnotonlyfor
their own and their family wellbeing, but for that of their entire communities. The stronger, wellorganized
groups initiate theirowndroughtcopingstrategies,butalsoensure that the largercommunitygetsengaged
andwouldalsobenefitfromtheactivities. Oftenthiswouldinvolveencouragementofcommunitymembersto
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preserve hay; or as in one case the construction of cisterns sufficiently large to store water for the whole
village. The combination of hay storage and disbursements of group capital to members for food purchases
during a prolonged drought enabled WIGG families to avoid migration. The women considered this a major
livelihoodimprovement.
Womenareparticularlyencouragedby theirabilitytomakemonthlysavingsandutilizesmall loans fortheir
enterprise and households needs. While the conventional idea behind the loan and savings function of the
group is primarily to enable women small enterprises, the WIGG women members have devised ways to
directlyutilizethemfortheirhouseholdneeds15
. Asmentionedabove,periodicdisbursements ofgroupfunds
intimesofneedduringadroughtimplyakeyfunctionofgroupsavingsandotherincomegeneratingactivities
inthepastorallivelihoodcontext.Thissignifiesalocalcapacitythatintegrateswellwiththenationalsafetynet
program.
The proportional piling of livestock indicators showsa decrease in the importance of livestock assets.While
theseresultsmustnotbeoveremphasizedduetothemethodologyutilized,thefindingsshowthatasleastfor
women the small capital reserve with the WIGG substitutes for investments in livestock. For the women
livestockisamorefunctional commoditythatasocialandcapitalasset.
The findings of the impact assessment underline the importance to maintain a stateoftheart approach in
supportofWIGGs.ThishasearlierbeendemonstratedbyPARIMA,whopioneeredtheIGAapproachinBorana
(PARIMA 2008) und is further established by the observations of this study. Interviews with CARE staff and
observations during the assessment confirmed that CARE pursues such stateoftheart approach, which
revolves around the organic growth of the WIGGs. A realistic timeframe for facilitating sustainable, self
reliantandconfidentgroupslooksatgrowthcyclesthatspantwotothreeyearperiods.
Moreover,imposingspecificpresetIGAschemes,asoftenexercisedbytheCPO,iscounterproductive. These
schemesarepartlydevisedwithgreatconcernfor localcommunitywelfareandare in linewithotherpublic
policy objectives such as better market access and improving physical infrastructure. Nevertheless, some of
theseobjectivesarehighlypoliticized,eitherimposingthesettlementofpastoralistsorinsistingontheirmobile
lifestyle.ThetendencytouseWIGGsforthesepoliticizedpurposesisratherobvious.WhereWIGGsarenotleft
to engage in activities that they perceive feasible but are rushed into politically favored schemes, they will
soonerorlatercollapse.CAREwillhavetofindwaystoensurethattheresourcesitinvestsintotheWIGGsdo
notcometowasteasaresult.
9.5. WIGGsstriveunderCARESupportandContributionsofother
AgenciesthatcreateanoverallEnablingEnvironment
At present CARE supports the WIGGs in a highly competent manner and employs sufficient resources to
facilitatethegroupsindividuallyonaonebyonebasis.Staffencouragesandguidesratherthandominatesand
prescribestheWIGGorganizationandactivities.Othernongovernmentalorganizationsintheareaalsoutilize
WIGGsimilar approaches with partially differing objectives, emphasizing outcomes such as natural resource
preservationandconflictresolution.However,thereislimiteddirectedcollaborationbetweentheseagencies.
Inafew instancesforexamplewithgroupsunderSavetheChildrensupport inotherpartofthecountry
crossvisitsarefeasibleandhavebeenjointlyorganized.Thefinancialandotherrelatedassistancethatflowsto
CAREsupportedWIGGscomesexclusivelyfromCARE.Thelargerpartofthisassistanceisprovidedintheform
oftrainingcoursesandcrossvisitsfollowedbyseedmoneythatisinjectedingroupsofsufficientcapacity.
15Exemplaryforthisistherationalofonewomenwhoexplainedhowsheutilizesaloan.Shetakes1000ETB
andbuysamattressfor300ETBforherchildandaheadofcattlefor700ETB.Shefattensthecattleandsellsit
for1200ETB.Shepaysbacktheloanwithinterest(1100ETB)andstillremainswith100ETBforotherpurposes.
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The WIGGs are also embedded in a larger environment of government support and institutional change.
Foremost,theWomensAffairsOfficehasbeenactive inpromotingwomensrights.Theawarenessthathas
arisen out of these campaigns is very noticeable among the women. Girls education is more frequent and
highlypraisedbytheBoranawomenwhoarealsomoreassertivewhenitcomestotheirownchangingroleand
status.Inthisrespect,theWIGGsprovidethemeanstoengageinwomengroupactivitiescomejustattheright
timetogivemomentumtotheopportunitiesopeningupforwomen.However,littlecanbeinferredatpresent
aboutthe
dynamic
social
change
and
it
is
necessary
to
remain
observant
that
not
put
too
much
pressure
on
the
communitiestoundergorapidsocialchange.
As mentioned above, the close collaboration with the CPO, which is fundamentally a very positive
development, is controversial. To achieve and maintain larger impact and systemic capacity building, it is
withoutquestionnecessaryforCAREtonotonlysupporttheWIGGsbutalsothegovernmentadministration
thatworkswiththeWIGGs.The leadingofficehere istheCPO.Therelatedgovernmentpolicy isto increase
productivityandmarketaccessinBoranaasinotherpartsofthecountryviacooperativeschemes.Asaresult
communitiesareorganizedintogroupsandsubsequently intocooperativesandtheCPOis inchargetoguide
andstreamlinetheseactivities.CAREwillneedtofindwaystomorestronglyadvocateitspropoorvisionand
approach,especiallyfordisadvantagedgroups,whereemploymentofcooperativeschemesispremature.
10. Recommendations
10.1. OptionsforScaling-upandtheRoleofCARE
ThepositiveimpactofWIGGsonthelivelihoodsofparticipatingwomenjustifiesscalingupoftheseactivities,
especiallyinthepastoralistlivelihoodcontext.
CAREwillhavetofindamodusoperandiwithitssecondmainpartnerbesidesthewomen,namelytheCPO,to
freelyimplementitspropoorapproachinsupportofWIGGactivities.Partofthesolutionistokeepafocuson
disadvantaged andmoreremotecommunities, toclarifyrespectiveagencyroles,andtoensurethatgroupsare
notrushedintocooperativeschemes.
Wh
top related