(The article was published in November 2009 by Rwanda Dispatch, national development magazine in Rwanda)
A total of 32 women are coming together to tackle their economic challenges and social impediments. Coming from various backgrounds such as street fruit vending and commercial sex work, and with only a secondary education, they have been struggling financially to support themselves and their families due to their marginalization during Rwanda’s rapid economic and social development. Depending on others and living from hand to mouth, their eyes tell a grim tale of bleak future prospects. However, the days of struggle may end soon. They have galvanized their strengths to form a cooperative group of women motorbike taxi drivers – the first of its kind in Rwanda.
A total of 32 women are coming together to tackle their economic challenges and social impediments. Coming from various backgrounds such as street fruit vending and commercial sex work, and with only a secondary education, they have been struggling financially to support themselves and their families due to their marginalization during Rwanda’s rapid economic and social development. Depending on others and living from hand to mouth, their eyes tell a grim tale of bleak future prospects. However, the days of struggle may end soon. They have galvanized their strengths to form a cooperative group of women motorbike taxi drivers – the first of its kind in Rwanda.
Wake-up Motorcyclist Cooperative (W.M.C.)- Collective Group of Women and Men
Brave women between the ages of 18 to 35 have spent the past three months working towards officially registering themselves as the “Wake-up Motorcyclist Cooperative (W.M.C.)”. Their goal is to generate their own income as women motorbike taxi drivers, empowering marginalized women to become independent agents. The interim leadership consists of dedicated volunteers who believe in the potential and social value of W.M.C.
Not a single member of W.M.C. knew how to drive a motorbike. The financial and mental burden of overcoming long held prejudices and lack of training is significant. They have united, however, to take the “American Dream” as their benchmark to create their own unique “Rwanda Dream”.
The interim cooperative fund is being built step by step, first collecting enough money to purchase a necessary computer and using it to prepare papers to register W.M.C. The next step was to collect 200,000 RWF for driver training. Now, one member is driving her customers to their destinations in the city while the additional 31 members follow her path by attending motorbike driving and safety school.
The interim cooperative fund is being built step by step, first collecting enough money to purchase a necessary computer and using it to prepare papers to register W.M.C. The next step was to collect 200,000 RWF for driver training. Now, one member is driving her customers to their destinations in the city while the additional 31 members follow her path by attending motorbike driving and safety school.
Photo= Enthusiasm from the interium president (left) and administrative manager (middle) with a translator (left) is tremendous, encouraging both women and men to be involved in their activities. (Photo©Kadae.C)Transferring Social Challenges into Opportunity: Public Private Partnership
Being women in society, the members still face struggles in overcoming traditional gender roles. As interim president Mr. Simon Pierre Urimubenshi says, “Our women first faced a gender biased challenge. When members get an official driving license, they first need to rent a motorbike as they cannot afford to buy their own. Some motorbike owners think that women cannot drive a motorbike or earn money through it, so they will not rent to the women.”
This gender biased challenge soon was reversed into great opportunity thanks to motorbike shop owner Sameer Damji of Sameer Hussein, who agreed to become a partner by providing the members with motorbikes on loan. “Motorbikes are not only a man’s vehicle,” declares Sameer. “Have you noticed that motorbike taxi drivers in Rwanda are all men? If men can drive it, women can drive it too. So why not women motorbike taxi drivers?” He continues, “I do not want to just give motorbikes to them. They are active agents of change, and not just recipients of mercy. Through an equal partnership under the loan scheme, I am hoping that they will develop strong ownership of their project, becoming proud of their activities.”
Asked why W.M.C. is not called Wake-Up “Women” Motorcyclist Cooperative, Mr. Urimubenshi replies with a gentle smile, “There is no reason to exclude men from our cooperative. Our main goal is that women members become motorcycle taxi drivers and economically independent. Our country focuses on gender equality, and gender does not mean just women. Our cooperative follows this theory, and we welcome men to join as well to support our activities.”
The next move for W.M.C. is to start a motorbike spare parts shop, restaurant and tailoring shop for those women who can no longer drive, or retire from the taxi business. W.M.C is well on its way to turning these vulnerable women’s future into a true Rwanda Dream.
This gender biased challenge soon was reversed into great opportunity thanks to motorbike shop owner Sameer Damji of Sameer Hussein, who agreed to become a partner by providing the members with motorbikes on loan. “Motorbikes are not only a man’s vehicle,” declares Sameer. “Have you noticed that motorbike taxi drivers in Rwanda are all men? If men can drive it, women can drive it too. So why not women motorbike taxi drivers?” He continues, “I do not want to just give motorbikes to them. They are active agents of change, and not just recipients of mercy. Through an equal partnership under the loan scheme, I am hoping that they will develop strong ownership of their project, becoming proud of their activities.”
Asked why W.M.C. is not called Wake-Up “Women” Motorcyclist Cooperative, Mr. Urimubenshi replies with a gentle smile, “There is no reason to exclude men from our cooperative. Our main goal is that women members become motorcycle taxi drivers and economically independent. Our country focuses on gender equality, and gender does not mean just women. Our cooperative follows this theory, and we welcome men to join as well to support our activities.”
The next move for W.M.C. is to start a motorbike spare parts shop, restaurant and tailoring shop for those women who can no longer drive, or retire from the taxi business. W.M.C is well on its way to turning these vulnerable women’s future into a true Rwanda Dream.