Abstract:
Women entrepreneurs in Maswa district have been supported by the government through
Women Development Fund (WDF) that provides loans to finance their Income Generating
Activities (IGAs). Through WDF, women were expected to be empowered economically.
The purpose of this study was to assess the performance of WDF towards women economic
empowerment. The study was carried out in Maswa district using a cross — section research
design. The target group was beneficiaries of WDF loans. For comparison purposes, the nonbeneficiaries were involved in the study.
Sample size used was 100 respondents. The sampling techniques employed were stratified,
purposive and simple random sampling. Data collection techniques were questionnaire
administration, personal interview, observations, focus group discussions and documentary
review. Data collected were analyzed using a Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS)
version 20. Results showed that, through WDF loans, beneficiaries slightly attained
economic empowerment due to the fact that, they had attained; access to resource and
ownership, access to decision making and acquired business skills at a limited extent.
Furthermore, it was found a significant difference in performance of IGAs after securing
loans between beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries as confirmed by the chi-square test. It
was recommended that; government should provide sufficient loans and facilitate formation
of women pre-co-operatives.
