Contribution of women’s economic activities to the fight against poverty in Tanzania: a case of Bagamoyo district in the coast region

The research examined the contribution of women's economic activities to the fight against poverty, using a case study of Bagamoyo town. Its specific objectives were to income earning opportunities exploited by women in Bagamoyo district, to assess the amount of income women generate per month and its contribution to the household and to examine their income expenditure and how it relates to poverty eradication at household level. Data collection was from 65 respondents. Five women respondents were purposively selected by the ward officials, then the five mentioned others who they associated with in their daily economic activities; this method is known as snowball sampling. Random sampling was employed to sample respondents who participated in the focal group discussion, while purposive sampling was used in selecting town's officials and leaders who were involved in interviews. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. The data analysis was done through the use of content analysis, qualitative data analysis involved coding, categorizing and making sense of the facts. The SPSS version 17.0 and Microsoft excel were used to compile quantitative data. The study revealed that women do engage themselves in income generating activities in formal and informal sectors, which helps them to gain different amounts of income. Women in the formal sector were employed as teachers, secretaries and Managers, while those in the informal sector conduct small businesses like vegetable farming, cattle keeping, chicken farming, shop owners and transportation business. For those in the formal sector earn an average income of Tsh 650,000/- per month, while those in the informal sector earn the average income of Tsh 150,000/-. Women in informal sector employment earn incomes that are mostly enough for the daily survival: they meet needs like children's education, domestic needs, health uses and transportation. Despite the fact that these women work so hard, they have not managed to get themselves and their families out of poverty. The study recommends that funds are to be increased to meet the demand in institutions responsible for their provision like the district commissioner's office and NGOs. The current loans' interest rate should be reduced to at least 5% or even lesser than that to allowing more women to be able borrow. NGOs and government officers should reduce bureaucracy in their offices to ensure effectiveness and efficiency and enable women to get their economic needs on time. Members in the local women empowerment groups should meet their obligation, this will enable them achieve their goal of economic growth. Formation of credit associations like SACCOs and VICOBA should be encouraged in places that there is no or minimal existence of such associations. Plans and strategies on education and awareness rising on fully exploitation of resources and opportunities for women should be formed in order to attain the goal of poverty alleviation in both the household and the national level.