Effects Of Women Development Fund In Improving The Income Of Women Microentrepreneures In Tanzania

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted in Dodoma Municipality by assessing the effects of Women Development Fund (credit) on improving the income of women micro entrepreneurs in Tanzania. The study is intended to find out the women awareness on WDF, to find out the socio- economic activities done by women micro entrepreneurs supported by WDF, to determine the achievement of women micro entrepreneurs supported by WDF, and finally to identify the challenges faced by women micro entrepreneurs in accessing loans from WDF. Data for the study was collected from 80 respondents using interview guided questionnaires. Both purposeful and simple random sampling procedures were used as technique for sample selection. Most of the data collected from the respondents was analysed by using SPSS and descriptive statistics analysis and presented in tables, figures and text. The study revealed that most of the respondents were aware of existence of WDF. The study also revealed that respondents with access to WDF could undertake various socio-economic activities such as food vending, farming, poultry farming, tailoring, and other activities which in one way or another can be a source of income. The study results have further shown that the income level of respondents improved compared to the period before the credit was provided. This was supported with the information on the accessibility on the social services like, electricity, medical care, school fees, transportation, school uniforms, daily food, books and stationary for their children while before credit accessing it was very difficult to meet them. The study also revealed most of respondents have capital assets such as houses, land, machines for making chicken food, machines for beauty saloons, television sets, radios, mobile phones and other assets which in one way or another have improved their life style while in the period before the credit they were not able to have these assets. All this show the WDF improved the income of women micro entrepreneurs. The study has also identified the challenges faced by respondents in accessing the loan from WDF in the study area which includes lack of collaterals, delay of fund, lack of enough funds and unwarranted bureaucracy of some credit officers. In conclusion, the credit which is provided by WDF should be improved in order to increase the success of women and their family for future development. Recommendation, education programme on entrepreneurship and awareness about credit facility should be encouraged for women so that they can involve themselves in income generating activities in order to improve the life standard of their family in particular and the community in general.