Tadu Dairy Women's Group, Nkwen, Cameroon

For nine years Abida Maimuna and the Tadu Dairy Women's Group have been training pastoral women on the use of techniques for hygienic milk collection, storage and processing.

The group's members use surplus milk to produce processed milk, cheese, butter and yogurt at a shared cottage milk processing facility to be sold in the local market. Due to the short shelf-life of raw dairy products, processed dairy products such as these are in high demand.

Abida Maimuna is part of the Fulani, a traditionally nomadic ethnic group of herders and traders. As pastoralists, the Fulani subsist on the products of their herds of cattle, sheep and poultry. Fulani women are mostly illiterate and highly discriminated against in society. The Tadu Dairy Women's Group's success and popularity in the local markets challenge negative stereotypes about Fulani women. They are increasingly viewed as wise innovators. With a Global Fund grant of $6,000 in 2000, the Tadu Dairy Women's Group continues to provide income sources for women as they break into the male-dominated pastoral industry. The women are responsible for both the production of the dairy products as well as the management of the group's market sales. This achievement has boosted the self-esteem of many women and increased their independence.

Despite lack of a formal education, Maimuna is able to bring greater economic security and autonomy to over 50 women in her village. Women in other villages who have been trained by the Tadu Dairy Women's Group have created their own pastoral groups, hoping to find as much success. Maimuna's vision is being shared across Cameroon.