HomeNet Africa

Organising HBWs in Africa was initiated by WIEGO between 2009-2010 and 2012-2015 under their ‘Global Trade Programme’, together with the Organization and Representation Programme in the second period, where they identified organisations and women’s groups of home-based workers. In the years 2018 – 2021, work focused on organising HBWs and institution building at local and national levels in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and South Africa. At the regional level, this led to the formation of the African Regional Platform, which further developed into HomeNet Africa (HNA) in the year 2022.

HomeNet

Africa

HNA has established interim structures aimed at building an independent regional network of home-based workers. From 2019 to present, the Working Group has expanded from 12 to 35 members, consisting of representatives from HNI affiliates, Executive Committee members and Organisers from each national network, Cluster Leaders from emerging networks, WIEGO, and the Regional Coordinator. The group meets once a month, alternating between regular meetings and capacity – building sessions.

HNA has created and introduced a 5-year strategic plan that comprises 5 key areas. These key areas form the basis of each national organisation’s annual plan. To ensure that progress is being made, a committee has been established to oversee the implementation of the strategic plan. The committee meets once a month to receive feedback on the progress made towards achieving the key areas.

HNA’s five key areas of work:
  1. Formalisation of HNA
  2. Expanding the Regional Network
  3. Livelihood Support
  4. Market Access
  5. Improving HBWs Product Quality

Regional Contacts

Edwin Bett

Regional Coordinator
Nairobi, Kenya
Email: [email protected]

Jemima Nyakongo

Executive Committee Member
Kenya
Email: [email protected]

Country Contacts

Ethiopia


In Ethiopia home-based workers’ organizing is supported by Women in Self Employment (WISE).
http://wise.org.et/?fbclid=IwAR1SQjKbxLofM6bEl0YRMS9VjByVCPZyaTxbTClXzUz90hdjRwGL2Xg-tVA

Kenya


In Kenya, the HBWs representatives spread across 6 cluster regions and organized as self-help groups, cooperatives and producer organizations found in the commercial crafts, textile and Garment Sectors; specialization inherent on raw materials and traditional skills. Over the years, the different HBWs groups have been working together towards increasing organization and formalizing in a national network.

On 10 December 2020, Home Based Workers Network-Kenya officially launched in Nakuru, Kenya.

Read more:
https://www.homenetinternational.org/event/home-based-workers-in-kenya-are-organizing-for-recognition-rights

HomeNet Kenya Launch Statement

Elizabeth Nzilani
Machakos Cooperative Union
Email: [email protected]

Jemimah Nyakongo
Rachuonyo Women Group
Email: [email protected]

South Africa


In South Africa the South African Self-Employed Women’s Association (SASEWA) was founded in 2009 in KwaZulu Natal when there was a need for informal workers such as street vendors and homed-based workers to have their rights represented. The organization has six active branches of cooperatives engaged mainly in traditional beadwork. Home-based workers in Cape Town are organized in an emerging network of textile and craft producing cooperatives.

Thandiwe Xulu,
SASEWA
Email: [email protected]

Emily Milanzi,
Empire Cooperative
Cape Town Cluster
Email: [email protected]h

Tanzania


In Tanzania self-help groups are organizing from Dar Es Salaam.

Rebecca Nyaluke,
UWAKE
Email: [email protected]

Uganda


In Uganda, nineteen organizations are organized around the five regions of Kampala city.

Betty Lunkuse,
Envirojewels
Email: [email protected]

Lillian Semigga,
Uganda Crafts 200
Email: [email protected]

Contact:

Regional Coordinator

Countries:

Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda

Members:

A regional network of 336 local organisations, among them 21 affiliated with HomeNet International, representing about 19,000 HBWs.

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