Influence of Microfinance Institutions Services on Women Household Power Relations in Tanzania

Abstract

This study investigated the role of microfinance institution services on women household’s power relations. Specifically, the study aimed at investigating the contribution of savings on women household power relations, determine the influence of loan on women household power relation and determine the importance of education and training on women household’s power relations. The study used cross-sectional research design with the population of 153 women who are members of Kalali SACCOS in which the sample of 99 respondents was drawn from the population. This study used both purposive and simple random sampling techniques whereby both primary and secondary data were collected. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis technique whereby quantitative data were analyzed with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) in which descriptive statistics and inferential statistics method were used. Findings indicated that both savings and access of finance together with education and training are important to household power relations since it improves business management skills, allows women to break the barrier of education, improves confidence, women social status as well as improves attainment of household needs and responsibilities. This shows that education and training as the services offered in the SACCOS has improved household power relations, since it allows women to improve their social and economic welfare through benefits of having successful business and ability to attain their household needs. It is concluded that the majority of women were less developed prior to saving, acquiring loans and getting education and training when compared to post joining SACCOS, since through SACCOS services women were able to increase ownership of assets as well as increased ability of managing household needs. Concerning the contribution of savings, loan, education and training for women, household power relations, has improved women skills and women are able to manage business successfully and create a chance of improving themself. Therefore, the study recommends that the SACCOS in collaboration with the government through its organs such as the Ministry of Finance and community-based organization like TUSONGE should increase funds for more women to borrow and allocate substantial budget in order to provide training seminars concerning microfinance institution services in relation to household power relations.