Empowering women: small-scale fish business in Mwanza, Tanzania
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Date
2023-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Business Excellence and Management
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of small-scale fish business (SSFB) on women's empowerment in Mwanza
Region, Tanzania, utilizing a cross-sectional research design. Ilemela and Nyamagana Districts were purposively
selected; encompassing wards and fish markets, with 309 respondents sampled using the proportion allocation
formula. Data analysis employed the Women’s Empowerment Index (WEI) and Ordinal regression. Five
empowerment indicators were considered: participation in household decision-making, control over permanent
assets, women’s economic contribution to the household, freedom of movement, and political autonomy. Results
indicated a medium level of empowerment among women in small-scale fish business. Notably, higher
empowerment levels were observed in participation in household decision-making and freedom of movement, with
medium levels in political autonomy and lower levels in asset control. Ordinal regression revealed that type of
marriage, contribution to family income, and access to resources significantly predicted women’s empowerment (p
< 0.05). The study concludes that SSFB contributes to moderate empowerment in controlling permanent assets,
contributing to household income, and political autonomy. Elevated levels of empowerment are observed in
women's participation in household decision-making and freedom of movement. The findings underscore the need
for policies challenging gender norms to address gender inequalities comprehensively and promote sustainable
women's empowerment across all indicators in the study area.
Description
Journal Article, pp. 68-84
Keywords
Small-scale fish business, Women's empowerment, Empowerment factors, Mwanza Region, Tanzania.
Citation
https://doi.org/10.24818/beman/2023.13.4-06