Browsing by Author "Matowo, Julieth Bethuel"

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    The effects of structural adjustment programme on gender patterns and coping strategies of village market traders involved in weekly village markets in rural Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2002) Matowo, Julieth Bethuel
    This dissertation examines and analyses the effects of SAPs on gender patterns and gender relations among market traders involved in village markets that take place on a weekly basis. It also examines coping strategies used by village market traders to mitigate the negative effects of SAPs. The data on which the dissertation is based was obtained from both quantitative and qualitative sources using secondary and primary materials. We used structured and unstructured interviews, participatory and non-participatory observation methods. An analysis of the data reveals significant changes in gender patterns, gender relations and coping strategies. Prior to the introduction of SAPs there was a clear gender pattern between products/crops sold by male and female traders. With the introduction of SAPs, male traders involve themselves in selling female crops/products such as bananas, milk and beans albeit on wholesale basis. Likewise, female traders sell meat, which used to be a male product. Secondly, some female traders are relatively involved in various decision making processes taking place both at the family and community levels compared to other women who were not directly involved in village trade activities on a regular basis. Moreover, female village traders are controlling decisions on utilization of incomes from their business activities. Thirdly, the study also confirmed that most village market traders including men and women are using a variety of coping strategies, to cope with the negative impacts of SAPs which include combining village trade and farm-work, and establishing multiple income generating activities such as brewing local beer. However, the study established significant gender differences on the coping strategies. For example male traders are not directly involved in “upatu system.” The dissertation makes several policy recommendations for improving the quality of the village market trade and living conditions of the majority of the traders including taxation systems.