Empowered Against HIV
How supporting young women entrepreneurs in Zambia helps to prevent the spread of HIV
Mapesho Sefuke, 24, opens her beauty salon at 8 a.m. each day in Kitwe — Zambia’s third-largest city, about seven hours north of the capital. On a typical day, after cleaning the salon and displaying her hair products and accessories, she’ll see three to six customers who come in for hair braiding, a blowout or wash, and/or styling. On busy days, Mapesho hires additional help to serve her clients.
“I am now financially stable,” says Mapesho. “I don’t depend on my auntie any more for money to buy what I need.”
Mapesho credits her success to support and guidance she received through the DREAMS (Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe) initiative, which promotes the economic empowerment of girls and young women to prevent the spread of HIV.
In Zambia, adolescent girls and young women face a higher risk of HIV infection due to factors like social isolation, poverty, discrimination, orphanhood, gender-based violence, and inadequate schooling.
As part of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the DREAMS initiative aims to change that by advancing gender equality in Zambia and 14 other countries across multiple sectors including economic growth, education, and health.
The Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia implements USAID’s Controlling HIV Epidemic for Key and Underserved Populations project in seven districts and, through the DREAMS component, supports Mapesho and other young women to start their own small businesses and learn life-changing financial management skills.
“Financial independence is one important factor for preventing HIV among adolescent girls and young women.” — Dr. Maurice Musheke, chief of party of the USAID project
Financial independence reduces the likelihood of adolescent girls and young women relying on transactional sex, which spreads HIV among adolescent girls and young women in Zambia.
The adolescent girls and young women supported by the DREAMS program have gone on to either become the principal wage earner in their homes or supplement the income of their parents or guardians, contributing to household economic self-sufficiency. Importantly, the DREAMS program has helped to strengthen the local economy in Zambia through the support of these small business ventures.
Mapesho and other participants in the DREAMS program study basic financial literacy and savings in a 13-week social asset building course, participate in a mentoring program that includes an internship and apprenticeship, and receive seed funding to start their small businesses.
USAID works with the young women to complete a market assessment to ensure the viability of their businesses. On average, the DREAMS program will then provide 5,000 Kwacha — 10,000 Kwacha (about US$300-$650) per person to help them secure the space, products, or machinery they need to run their business.
USAID encourages the young women to partner in groups of two or three as they begin their business ventures, so they can optimize the use of resources and learn from and support each other. Young women who achieve success in their business ventures often serve as mentors for other young women in the program.
Another participant, Christine Muzuka, 22, from Livingstone, Zambia, heard about the DREAMS program through two of her friends who encouraged her to join. Through the support of DREAMS, Christine now owns and operates her own grocery store, where she also provides tailoring services. Christine hopes to open a franchise of tailoring shops across her district and to mentor other young women in starting a small business through DREAMS.
Once the businesses reach profitability, the young women graduate from the program, and USAID maintains the linkage between the young women and the DREAMS program to provide ongoing mentorship as needed.
Mapesho, who runs her beauty salon business with her friend and fellow DREAMS participant Memory, says that her plan is to own not just a salon, but a high-end beauty parlor.
“I want my work to be known across the globe,” Mapesho said. “I also want to know all about business and entrepreneurship because I believe that obtaining knowledge is power, and I need that knowledge to expand my business.”
About the Author
Elizabeth Squire is the Communications Advisor for the Strategic Coordination & Communication Division in USAID’s Office of HIV/AIDS in the Bureau for Global Health.
