Socio-cultural factors hindering loan repayment among Women borrowers in Tanzania: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

This article aimed to look into socio-cultural barriers to loan repayment faced by women borrowers in Dodoma City's Nzuguni and  Njedengwa Wards in 2022. A qualitative approach and a cross-sectional research design were employed. Six key informants in all—four  loan officers from the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Assistance Committee-Dodoma, two Ward Executive Officers from two specifically chosen wards, and six Focus Group Discussions—participated in the face-to-face interview. Key informant interviews and focus group  discussions were used as the primary data collection tools. In the end, the data were summarized, thematically assessed, and presented.  The study discovered that peer pressure, marital considerations, family size, social festivals, and other socio-cultural factors constitute barriers to loan repayment for women borrowers in the study area. The study recommends that women borrowers only take out loans  they can afford to repay. The study has practical implications in that the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Assistance Committee should focus  more on educating and training women borrowers so they can use the borrowed money responsibly. Last but not least, research must be  done in different wards to contrast women borrowers' experiences with loan payback.