Machumu, Mkula2020-03-142020-03-142015Machumu, M.(2015) Challenges and coping strategies of Tanzanian entrepreneurs: a comparative study of female and males entrepreneurs in informal garment enterprises. Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.http://41.86.178.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7787Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF HD2346.T34M32)The aim of the study was to compare challenges and coping strategies of female and male entrepreneurs in informal garment enterprises. The study was descriptive cross sectional study conducted using 60 entrepreneurs in Ilala district, Dar es Salaam region, Tanzania. Taking into consideration the nature of the research problem, data was collected from informal garment entrepreneurs using questionnaires and analyzed using frequency tables, cross tabulations, chi square tests of significance, T-test and linear regression analysis. The finding of the study reveals that there was significant gender differences in the motive to make more money than would otherwise and to make myself and avoid disturbances from neighbors. The challenges mobility from one place to another, discouragement from others and domestic duties were statistically significant different between male and female entrepreneurs. Coping strategies used by female and male entrepreneurs were statistically significant different in the use of informal networks, share of domestic responsibilities with others, focus on few activities in order to have time for family responsibilities and use of training and seminars The results of the study propose a call for government intervention, support services and lenders to assist the informal business by creating a conductive environment which will help to boost the growth and increase of people income who depends solely on informal business to make life.enInformal sector (economics)Informal garment enterprisesWomen in businessBusinessmenIlala districtDar es Salaam regionTanzaniaThesis