Women Managed Micro-Enterprises and Households’ Welfare in Mirerani Mining Township, Tanzania

Abstract

The study assesses the influence of women managed micro-enterprises on households’ welfare in mining areas. The total sample size of 100 women micro entrepreneurs were selected using simple random technique and were interviewed using questionnaire and checklist. Data were analysed through multiple response and Likert Scale. The study revealed that insufficient family income 57.0%, insufficient spouses’ income 21.0%, availability of funds 8.0%, acquired skills 7.0%, divorce 5%, and death of spouse 2% are the major motives for women involvement in micro-enterprise in the study area. Income generated from micro-enterprises is perceived by women entrepreneurs to present opportunities for increased household welfare including access to basic services such as health care 61%, education 51%, food 58%, clothing 48%, and housing 52%. Despite the perceived welfare improvement, women entrepreneurs face several challenges including shortage of start-up and working capital, high taxation, lack of entrepreneurship education/business education, and transportation cost. It is recommended that constructive measures including tax review, training, and credit access need to be taken care to boost performance of micro enterprises in mining areas in Tanzania.