The Contribution of Women in Social Economic Development: A Case Study of Kitama Ward, Tandahimba District of Mtwara Region in Tanzania

Abstract

This study examined "The Contribution of Women in Socio-economic Development in Contemporary Families” conducted at Kitama Ward, Tandahimba District of Mtwara Region in Tanzania from January to March 2018; the study had the purpose of diligent search for assessment on the participation of women in socio-economic development. The researchers used various methods and techniques of collecting data including questionnaires, structured interview and documentary reviews. The study revealed that women participate in socio-economic development. They are involved in formal paid jobs, informal paid jobs and self-employed jobs of which include a range of activities which can help in development such as business, food vendors, farming, teachers, nurses, planners and entrepreneurs whereby they can contribute through paying taxes to the government, increasing national income and household income, salary savings, buying and selling their commodities and hence improving their living standards. On the hand findings from the study area revealed that women face different challenges from their families and community which snag the development of the country. The challenges are lack of capital, lack of entrepreneurial skills and education, cultural limitation, low income, long working hours which most are spent in household activities, patriarchal system, poverty, sexual harassment, underestimations, biasness, discrimination and lack of support which can cause women to be seen as if they are not participating in the development process of the country.