In the agro-industrial capital of Madagascar, Antsirabe, many women face precarious working conditions. The Mazava association, committed to the emancipation of women, offers them moral support and work opportunities.
Among the difficulties these women face are low wages, underemployment and sometimes even disguised unemployment. Unfortunately, this mainly affects women who find themselves faced with insecurity on a daily basis.
The Mazava association has created a space where these women can find part-time employment. A hairdressing salon, a laundromat and even a henhouse are available to them so that they can work a few hours a week. These are opportunities that allow these women to supplement their income and improve their financial situation.
Speaking with some of these women, we realize the importance of these opportunities. Marie-Abeline, one of the women employed by Mazava, weaves raffia baskets which she then sells through the association. She explains that these activities allow her to not remain inactive and to support her husband financially. She is aware that to get through it, it is necessary to be quick and give yourself the means to achieve your goals.
However, despite these efforts, the underemployment rate still remains very high in this district of Antsirabe. Many women cannot find enough work hours to earn a decent income. This situation results in them being kept at home, where they are often confronted with violence. One of the objectives of the Mazava association is therefore to break the taboo and encourage women to talk about their situation to find solutions.
For Fandresena, one of the young women benefiting from these opportunities, the work she does in her small hair salon allows her to earn enough to meet her basic needs. However, she aspires for more and hopes to be able to expand her own business in neighboring towns.
The job search remains difficult for women in Antsirabe, but initiatives like that of the Mazava association offer a glimmer of hope and support to these women in difficulty. However, it is essential to take broader measures to combat precariousness and offer decent jobs to all Malagasy women.