Cooperatives as a Conduit for Meaningful Inclusion of Youth and Women

Abstract

Recently, organizations and institutions including governments are increasingly concerned with matters of inclusion. Inclusion in this context relates to the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who may otherwise be excluded or marginalized. In Kenya’s cooperative movement, youth, women, and persons living with disabilities often fall within the marginalized brackets in decision making and leadership; yet the cooperative model lends itself to providing for inclusion. The International Labour Organization asserts cooperatives must remain competitive in the market and ascribe to values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. These cooperative values put people at the heart of the cooperative. The United Nations (UN) promotes cooperative development as inclusive and socially responsible enterprises with immense growth potential. The General Assembly recognized that cooperatives, in their various forms, promote the fullest possible participation in the economic and social development of local communities and all people, including women, youth and older persons. UN notes that Africa has the youngest population in the world, with 70% of Sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30 (UNESCO 2023). Nonetheless, the average age of cooperative members is estimated to be 50 years. Additionally, although approximately 50% of Africa’s population is women, over 70% of cooperative members are men (ILO, 2012). These same statistics are mirrored in Kenya; where 80% of the population is aged 35 years and below (NCPD, 2021), yet cooperative membership is skewed towards men and the older generation (ICA-A). It is therefore evident that the cooperative movement in Africa is not only aged but skewed towards men. It is against this backdrop that Global Communities’ USAID-funded Cooperative Leadership Engagement Advocacy and Research (USAID/CLEAR) Project is advocating for increased uptake of the worker cooperative model to increase participation and leadership opportunities for women and youth; thus, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. This paper aims to illustrate lessons and opportunities worker cooperatives provide for inclusive development from the USAID (United States Agency for International Development) CLEAR (Cooperative Leadership, Engagement, Advocacy and Research) program (2018-2023). The paper will also highlight recommendations for policy makers for an inclusive cooperative movement that is representative of the communities we serve.