ALTERNATIVE TRADE NETWORK OF NIGERIA

Empowering Women

Alternative Trade Network of Nigeria (ATNN)

Start: 1994

Field of action: different regions of Nigeria

Members: 84 cooperative groups of grassroots producers and artisans

Since its establishment, the Alternative Trade Network of Nigeria (ATNN) has been empowering a wide diversity of disadvantaged indigenous producers in Nigeria. Its main activities are skill development, quality control, promotion of market access, economic rights advocacy and capacity building in the field of organizational and group development.

Context

A few years ago, ATNN discovered Gula, a small settlement in the Borno State in the northeast of Nigeria. The women there make tambils, traditional hand-woven baskets. It is a very special form of craft practised exclusively by the women of Gula. Nonetheless, despite the fact that they excel in this art form, women constitute the majority of the poor in this community. The situation is further {aggravated by difficult and sometimes very rigid traditions and customs. In this predominantly Muslim community, women are not permitted to engage in any trade outside their home that could substantially increase their income. They are forced to limit their weaving to baskets for traditional uses: storage of jewellery and bags for brides to take their belongings to their new husband’s home.

Girl power 

ATNN was able to convince the religious and political leaders of the benefits of the trade in tambils. The leaders understood that such trade could have an important impact on Gula society and allowed ATNN to set up a project.

ATNN started by upgrading the production capacities of the basket weavers so that they would be able to meet the increasing demand for their products. It assisted the women in organizing a functional and democratic cooperative society, thus enabling them to become more involved in economic activities, hold jobs and earn a regular income to meet their family’s daily needs. ATNN also provides consultation/training room facilities and a technical resource library where the women can get guidance, training and development support that is more responsive and appropriate to their situation. The organization also provides training on establishing and managing democratically a cooperative in a more cost-effective and viable manner.

The basket weaving activities contribute to the eradication of poverty among the women of Gula. As a result of their increased and more efficient production capacities and improved market access, the women have been able to triple the income they earn from basket weaving. Due to their higher income, women can contribute more to the development of their community. Consequently, they will have more input in community issues. This success further enhances the appreciation of fair trade as a model of economic empowerment in Nigeria. The centre also trains young girls in basket weaving. The training also includes citizenship education and elements of economic rights. Courses in organizational development allow the members of the cooperative to manage it, to work as a team and to run a transparent organization

“It is ironic that the women of Gula are languishing in poverty despite the fact that their baskets are in high demand internationally by many IFAT and fair trade buyers” (ATNN)