Al Mahara

What is femimain?

femimain is a social economy project of the non-profit association vzw Pianofabriek, which strives to strengthen the social and economic position of women in Morocco.

STRENGTHENING THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC POSITION OF WOMEN IN MOROCCO

We assist and support cooperatives and workshops of women in Morocco in taking their first steps in the business world. We offer administrative and technical support, but also lend an attentive ear and a critical eye. The women master a trade and moreover learn to handle the accompanying paperwork. They contribute to an equitable economy, and thereby also gain independence and self-confidence. That way, femimain hands them key assets to improve their oftentimes precarious living conditions.

FAIR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE

In collaboration with the women, femimain develops a contemporary collection of handmade products, whereby fair trade and sustainability are paramount. The women receive fair pay for their products, which are sold in Belgium through an employment project of vzw Pianofabriek. As such, femimain also creates employment opportunities for the socially vulnerable in Belgium.

RESPECTING HUMAN DIGNITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

femimain believes that dignified and environmental-friendly entrepreneurship pays off and wants to contribute to a better understanding of the world around us, paying particular attention to North-South relations.

Al Mahara

Our latest project. A training center for women in Regraga, Morocco.

Central to the further expansion and development of femimain is the setting up of “Cooperative Al Mahara”, a training center in southern Morocco.

COURSES FOR UNEDUCATED WOMEN

The goal is for Cooperative Al Mahara to organize courses for uneducated women from the area: sewing and embroidering, but also learning to develop new, innovative products by recycling existing materials. With their newly acquired skills, the women can generate an income and gain recognition in society. The women will contribute to the development of new collections, thereby becoming long-lasting femimain partners. femimain aims to improve the position of these “craftswomen”, who contribute significantly to the conservation of cultural traditions and local economies, an often undervalued role.