Zambia has one of the world’s fastest growing populations and yet simultaneously suffers from a lack of economic development, meaning that almost 80% of people living in rural areas live below the poverty line. Women in Zambia are often the poorest and most marginalised group, lacking a voice or the agency to move beyond basic subsistence-level farming.

In partnership with Christian Aid, we targeted 4,000 farmers (75% of which are women) with training to set up and successfully run co-operatives. By working together in co-operatives, people will have more control over their lives earn more money to support their families.

Evidence shows that when women are able to earn more, they have a stronger voice in both their households and in society, so co-operatives are an ideal way to promote participation and provide a platform for women to become more visible actors in their local communities.