EVALUATION OF SMALL ACTIVITIES OF WOMEN IN SOME VILLAGES IN THE LOW VALLEY OF THE OUEME, REPUBLIC OF BENIN

Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyze the impact of small-scale activities by women in a few villages in the lower Ouémé Valley of Benin. For this, 08 villages have been covered in (04) municipalities (Bonou, Dangbo, Adjohoun, and Aguégué). 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 kèlèkèlè 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 Ouémé 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.