Abstract:
The study was conducted in Arusha chini and Maboghini wards to determine socio-cultural
factors that influence Maasai women participation in income generating activities. Specific
objectives of the study were: to identify income generating activities that Maasai women
participate; to identify socio-cultural factors influencing Maasai women in income
generating activities; to determine gender relations affecting Maasai women participation
in income generating activities and to asses the extent of participation of Maasai women in
income generating activities. The study comprised 69 women from the two wards who
were involved in IGAs and 51 who were not engaged in it. Data were collected using
structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS software package. Study findings
showed that major sources of income among respondents were non-farm activities, farming
and salaries. Key activities undertaken were food vending and livestock keeping. The study
found that socio-cultural factors influencing Maasai women participation in income
generating activities in the study area include age, marital status, education background,
household size and lack of decision making on income expenditure. Majority of the
respondents involved in IGAs started business with an initial capital of less than 50 000
Tshs. Main sources of initial capital were own capital and family. Inadequate capital,
unreliable markets, lack of entrepreneurship skills and family responsibilities were
identified as major constraints to women’s IGAs. The study concluded that Maasai women
involvement in IGAs contributes low to the wellbeing of most households in the study
area. The study recommends the need to create enabling environment that ought to
improve lending policy and entrepreneurship skills.
