Women in difficulty at work in Antsirabe, Madagascar
In the agro-industrial capital of Madagascar, Antsirabe, women face many difficulties in the job market. With low wages, prevalent underemployment and persistent precariousness, they remain the category most affected by this reality.
However, a glimmer of hope exists through the action of the Mazava association. By offering women in difficulty a space for moral support and work, the association allows them to escape isolation and gain a few hours of work per week.
Within Mazava, various activities are offered. Whether it is hairdressing, laundry or even crafts, these temporary jobs offer women the opportunity to put their skills to good use and strengthen their income.
Marie-Abeline, one of the women supported by the association, explains how she uses her weaving skills to make raffia baskets. Then sold by Mazava, these products allow him to contribute to his household income.
However, these temporary jobs are often only a palliative to a precarious situation. In this district of Antsirabe, nearly 95% of women are underemployed, not having enough working hours to obtain a decent income. This reality means that many women remain confined to the home, exposed to violence and social isolation.
This is where the Mazava association plays a crucial role, by breaking taboos and offering moral support to women in difficulty. By encouraging dialogue around domestic violence, the association aims to help these women get out of the economic impasse in which they find themselves.
Fandresena, a 22-year-old young woman supported by Mazava, was able to learn hairdressing techniques and open her own salon. Although the income generated is not high, it allows him to contribute to the livelihood of his family. However, she dreams of being able to do more and plans to open her own salon in a neighboring town.
This story highlights the precarious situation in which many women find themselves in Antsirabe, but it also demonstrates that concrete actions are being put in place to support them. Thanks to initiatives such as that of the Mazava association, these women have the opportunity to escape precariousness and take control of their professional future.
It is essential to continue to support these initiatives and raise awareness about the challenges women face in the labor market in Madagascar. Only collective action can truly advance the cause of gender equality and allow all women to have access to decent jobs.