The Role Of Savings And Internal Lending Communities In Women’s Economic Empowerment: A Case Of Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

Women economic empowerment is increasingly viewed as one of key elements in poverty

reduction strategies. Position of women’s economic status in Tanzania has been low

compared to men in which about 60 percent of women in Tanzania have low economic

status. This study examined the contributions of Savings and Internal Lending

Communities (SILCs) towards improving women’s economic status. Specifically, the

study examined the main source of income among women, and examined challenges

facing women in SILC. The study also assessed the level of women economic

empowerment and examined the effect of SILC on women’s economic empowerment.

A total of 100 respondents were involved. Primary data were collected using

questionnaire which was administered to 100 respondents. Key informant interview Focus

Group Discussions were also conducted so as to triangulate information gathered from

survey. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze socio-demographic characteristics, the

main income generating activities performed by women and challenges facing women in

SILC. A Cumulative Empowerment Index (CWEEI) was computed to determine the

overall level of women’s economic empowerment. An ordinal logistic regression model

was used to analyze the contribution of SILC on women’s economic empowerment.

The findings show that majority of women in SILC are involved in petty trading as their

income generating activities. It was also found that half of women in the study area have

attained medium level of empowerment. In addition, duration in SILC, involvement in

IGAs and education were good predictors to women’s economic empowerment

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