The term “shine your eye” is a Nigerian slang which insinuates the need to be wise or in a sense street smart to be able to take advantage of opportunities around you. This program is intended to provide opportunities within the fields fashion & soap making for head pan hawkers popularly known as “kayayei” to give them opportunities to learn and apply some form of skill-based training.

WHY KAYAYEI?

The term kayayei is a Hausa word that refers to women who carry heavy loads on their heads. In Ghana, the kayayei phenomenon began in the 1920s when migrant women from the north started coming to the south to work as domestic servants. However, the economic hardships in the north have caused the kayayei occupation to evolve over time, and women are now engaged in carrying heavy loads on their heads in markets and on the streets.

Kayayei are more often than not made up of young girls generally between the ages of 14 to 16 years who have migrated from rural areas across Ghana with the most prevalent areas being the 3 northern regions (i.e Upper East, Upper West & Northern Regions). These girls migrate to the south (ACCRA) to serve as they work in markets or on the streets as head load carriers (kayaye), informal petty traders, domestic assistants to traders, and in other menial jobs. In the best of cases, they become domestic workers.

Unfortunately, due to ignorance and their vulnerability, these girls face much of the worst that urban life can offer, with local people using them for their cheap labor while at the same time stigmatizing them. These women carry loads that weigh up to 100 kilograms and are exposed to the scorching sun and other weather conditions. They work long hours, up to 16 hours per day, with no rest periods or health insurance. As a result, they are prone to various health issues, such as chronic back pain, fatigue, and respiratory problems. They endure these actions in order to facilitate their goals which are varied in nature with the most common ones being; escaping forced marriage, seeking capital to start up some form of business back home & Some claim they want to collect money to pay school fees for themselves or siblings.  Most girls who migrate to the south to work as Kayayei often become victims of Rape, Teenage pregnancy, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse among others which lead to drastic actions such as unsafe abortions among others resulting in the loss of life and other damaging effects which lead to a life-long harm.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT KAYAYIE IN GHANA

• “Kayayei” is a term used in Ghana to refer to female head porters who carry goods on their heads to earn a living.
• Kayayei are mostly young girls and women from the northern regions of Ghana who migrate to urban areas in search of better economic opportunities.
• The work of kayayei is physically demanding and often exposes them to health hazards due to the nature of the goods they carry.
• Many kayayei are illiterate and have limited access to education and skill-based training opportunities.
• Kayayei are often stigmatized and discriminated against in Ghanaian society.

TARGET GROUP FOR SHINE YOUR EYE PROGRAM

Head pan hawkers (Kayayei) numbering up to 10 persons.

PROJECTED IMPACT OF #SHINEYOUREYE CAMPAIGN

The #shineyoureye campaign, which aims to provide kayayei with skill training, has the potential to have a significant positive impact on the lives of these women. The following are some of the projected impacts of this campaign:

• Economic empowerment: Skill training can provide kayayei with an opportunity to acquire new skills that can help them to start their businesses or gain employment in more lucrative sectors of the economy. This can lead to an increase in their income and economic empowerment.
• Improved working conditions: Skill training can also equip kayayei with knowledge on how to work more efficiently and safely, reducing the risk of injuries, and other health-related issues. This can lead to improved working conditions for the kayayei.
• Enhanced self-esteem and confidence: Acquiring new skills can also boost the self-esteem and confidence of the kayayei. This can have a positive impact on their mental and emotional well-being.
• Breaking the cycle of poverty: With skill training, kayayei can transition out of the cycle of poverty and provide better opportunities for their children. Children of kayayei are often unable to access education and training, and they are likely to follow their mothers into the same occupation. With skill training, kayayei can provide their children with access to education and break the cycle of poverty.
• Social integration: Skill training can also provide kayayei with a sense of social integration, as they learn new skills and interact with other people outside of their community. This can lead to a more significant sense of belonging and social inclusion.

In conclusion, the #shineyoureye campaign, which aims to provide skill training to kayayei, has the potential to have a significant positive impact on the lives of these women. It can lead to economic empowerment, improved working conditions, enhanced self-esteem and confidence, breaking the cycle of poverty, and social integration. These impacts are likely to have ripple effects on the broader society and contribute to the overall development of society.