Improving Market Access for Women Shea Traders Connecting Rural Women to Better Markets
The Challenge
Many women shea traders face challenges storing their products safely while waiting for favorable market prices.
Without proper storage facilities, women are forced to sell their products immediately after production at low prices, limiting their profits and long-term financial stability.
Our Intervention
Through the Shea Women Traders Access to Public Warehouse Program, DFWC worked to improve women’s access to warehouse facilities where they could safely store their products.
The program included:
- Training women on warehouse management and storage practices
- Facilitating access to certified public warehouses
- Supporting collective marketing strategies
- Linking women traders to buyers and market opportunities
The Impact
- Women traders gained access to safe storage facilities.
- Participants could store products and sell at better market prices.
- Income levels improved due to reduced post-harvest losses.
- Women strengthened their market bargaining power.
Why It Matters
Access to storage facilities transforms women from price takers into strategic market participants.
With improved storage and market access, women can maximize the value of their products and improve household income.
Partnership Opportunities
Support is needed to:
- Expand warehouse access for more communities
- Provide logistics support for product storage and transport
- Develop market information systems for women traders
- Strengthen women’s collective marketing networks
