The contribution of Bonafide Microfinance Institutions in reducing income poverty among women in Chamwino District in Tanzania
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Date
2017-09-28
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St John's University of Tanzania
Abstract
In Tanzania, about 50% of people are living in an abject poverty. Most of them are women. The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of bonafide MFIs in reducing income poverty among women of Chamwino district in Dodoma, Tanzania. The study was guided by four specific objectives, to examine women’s perception about bonafide MFI services for income generation activities; to examine the performance of bonafide MFIs in providing micro-loan services to women; to assess the MFIs influence on income growth of women; and to explore women’s accessibility to MFIs services in income generating activities. The study involved 100 women obtained randomly from a list of women who had accessed loans from MFIs in one year period. In this cross-sectional surveyed study women were given questionnaires and managers of five MFIs were interviewed using interview guide. Both quantitative and qualitative primary and secondary data were used in the study to answer the research questions. However, quantitative dominated and the qualitative information was used to explain the quantitative findings. Data were analysed by SPSS and the results were presented in econometric model, tables and figures. Most of surveyed women (47%) were between 26-35 years and possess primary (36%) and O-level education (34%). About 77% were married, 67% have experience of six to 20 years and 38% were in a paid employment. Moreover, the surveyed women were involved in crop selling (23%), food vending (28%) and bar and restaurants (22%). Also, majority (76%) of women were in SMEs. The cross tabulation of women characteristics and their perception toward MFIs reveal weak significant difference between women personal characteristics and their perception. Additionally, the findings indicate that the MFIs performance has no significant effect on women’s income at 1.0% level of significance. On the contrary, educational level of women, possession of assets and being in a paid employment were seen to have positive and significant effect on women’s income. From the findings of the study it can be concluded that, MFIs have contributed in reducing women poverty in other dimensions rather than income poverty. The study recommends the need for microfinance regulatory board to reduce interest rate charged by MFIs, reduce bureaucracy and accept less demanding collaterals so as to enhance women’s economic wellbeing. Also, there is a need for policy review, wide publicity and training of women on business and financial management skills.