A Dissertation submitted to Mzumbe University – Dar es Salaam Business School in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for Award of the Degree of Master of Business Administration (CM) of Mzumbe University
In the present study an attempt has been made to investigate the outcomes of women empowerment in Tanzania through income generating projects of women and its impact on their socio-economic empowerment. The target population of the present study was eighty (80) women who had availed services and/or support from the Council.
The general objective was to investigate women’s empowerment programmes in Tanzania taking a case of women income generation projects in Arusha City Council in Arusha region. Specific objectives were to determine minimum resource envelopes which are directed to women empowerment programmes in Arusha city; assess the extent in which government’s investments contributed to the improvement of women’s empowerment in the study area; and identify challenges with relations to women empowerment’s programme in the study area. Research design used was cross sectional. Data collection methods used were simple random sampling technique, focus group discussions and a review of appropriate published documents and other related information toward women’s empowerment. The instruments used were questionnaire and interview guides.
Findings indicated that irrespective of type, all IGPs supported by Arusha City Council have induced positive impact in women empowerment, though the extent of changes is not significantly high. The projects have enabled women to have a better access to basic needs and make important contribution to household decision making, especially the decision regarding their personal needs and availing treatment and recreational facilities.
Various recommendations have been made on the findings of the study. The focus has been directed to the promotion of active involvement of beneficiaries, behaviour change, increasing household asset bases, in-service training for community officers, conducting capacity building for micro-credit schemes, development of participatory monitoring and evaluation mechanisms as well as promoting advocacy.