Empowering Women through Shea Butter Production in Burkina Faso: Addressing the Gender Gap through Service Learning

• DOI: 10.5539/jsd.v18n3p89
• Publication Date: 2025-04-19T03:51:31Z
• Authors: Haruka Koike; Rajeev Kumar Singh; Lori Zenuk Nishide
• Keywords: Gender gap

This study explores how importing shea butter from Burkina Faso and selling it as hand cream in Japan can support the local community, raise awareness of gender inequality, promote women’s employment. It also examines role service learning enhancing cross-cultural communication by engaging learning. Using qualitative quantitative methods, involved a literature review, discussions with BYCS (Bridge, Youth Challenge, Smile) members, data analysis on importation sales. Survey results social media campaigns were used to assess awareness. The findings suggest that contributes job creation raises benefits extending healthcare. However, improvements be made marketing strategies business approaches. survey revealed need for greater awareness-raising efforts. highlights potential fair trade address issues, implications change sustainable development.