Gender relations in the informal sector and poverty alleviation initiatives: the case of Mamalishe Kinondoni District in Dar es Salaam Region

The study aimed at exploring the dynamic and impact of Mamalishe enterprise in fighting against poverty from household level The case study was in Dar es Salaam region at Kinondoni district. The Magomeni and University of Dar es salaam Mamalishe centres were selected. The economic hardship in Tanzania has been the driving force for women to opt for the informal sector hence Mamalishe. ln one way 1t has over burdened them and in the other it has been a way of empowering them. Theories guiding the study and conceptual framework were together discussed in chapter two. A review of existing literature on the subject is also done in this chapter. Concepts discussed were "gender," "gender relation," "poverty" and "poverty alleviation". Issues reviewed were: gender and poverty, economic position of women and gender relations in the informal sector, micro and small enterprises as a means to combat poverty and set back in the informal sector. Respondents were selected purposively. Techniques that were used to collect data included documentary review, observation method, and face-to-face interview with the use of checklist for in-depth and unstructured interviews. The study has found out that Mamalishe initiative is viewed as a means of supporting households and dependants. With the extended family Mamalishe business can only meet daily family needs with no future savings. t was recommended that the most effective way to address poverty 1s to coordinate all issues regarding poverty with transparency. It was further recommended that there is a need for a deliberate policy to address business environment that will be conducive for small-scale business including Mamalishe and that Mamalishe should be recognised as an occupation that is in demand in the informal sector and a vital business to address poverty.