Dakar, Senegal - In observance of the International Women’s Day, UK-based agricultural supply chain and food ingredients company, Olam International, Friday released its research findings, saying that female jobs in agricultural supply chains mean “choice and independence” for emerging markets in Africa.
A statement released by the company disclosed that nearly 6,000 women from rural communities in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Mozambique, Tanzania, India and Vietnam were recently asked to choose the 'single most important reason' they value their job beyond the obvious financial benefits.
According to the findings, 36% of the women identified that working 'gives me independence and choices'.
Thirty-three percent singled out the impact on 'status and confidence' while 19% replied: 'I learn useful information to take back to my family' and just 11% of respondents answered 'none of these'.
“As a global employer, Olam is well placed to help understand how opportunities in agricultural processing rather than in subsistence farming, are supporting women in remote rural communities,' Briony Mathieson, a senior official of the company, said.
'These findings – although only an anecdotal snapshot – strongly suggest that these jobs provide much more than just a wage packet.'
“The findings of our survey clearly reinforce that the value of working together in a sociable and supportive environment cannot be underestimated,” Mathieson added.
The senior Olam official went on to emphasize that employment helps to build confidence and status among women, giving them choices and improving prospects for their children.
'If the theme of the International Women’s Day is gathering momentum through gender equality, our research suggests more focus on rural employment would be a big move in the right direction,” Mathieson concluded.
Pana 09/03/2013