EMPOWERING WOMEN: SMALL-SCALE FISH BUSINESS IN MWANZA, TANZANIA

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.

Keywords

• small-scale fish business
• women's empowerment
• empowerment factors
• mwanza region
• tanzania