Contribution Of Food Vending In Improving Livelihood Of Women Vendors In Dodoma Municipality

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the contribution of food vending in improving the livelihood of women vendors in Dodoma Municipality specifically at Majengo and Viwandani wards. The study focused on identifying the factors influencing women involvement in food vending activities in the study area, determining the contribution of food vending to poverty reduction by women at the household level, and identifying factors affecting the performance of food vending activities in the study area. Data were collected from a total of 90 respondents using interviews, observation, focus group discussion, and documentary review. Results indicate that factors influencing women involvement in food vending activities in Dodoma Municipality which include income generation (50%), lack of alternatives (23.5%), the low capital requirement (32.4%), family expenses (35.3%), availability of sustainable market (32.4%), and simplicity (32.4%). The study identified several factors affecting the performance of food vending activities in Dodoma Municipality which include crediting behaviour by customers, inflation of raw materials, shortage of customers, taxes, inadequate capital, and disturbance from municipal authorities. The study concludes that food vending activities play a significant contribution in improving the livelihood of women. Therefore food vendors should be empowered in terms of entrepreneurship skills, capital, and other important assistance to enhance their activities and services. Food vendors are advised to formulate and join in groups and look for credits focusing on the expansion of their services. This could give the room to access a reliable market which could give them beneficial income generation, hence poverty reduction to their families and the society at large.