The Impact of Women Economic Group Conflicts on the Development of their Projects: The Case of Women in Kinondoni Municipality

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships among women and their impact on the success of their economic projects. The objectives of the study were to identify the economic activities run by women in groups based on friendship relations, investigate the relationship that prevails among women in running group economic activities, and to assess the effects of such conflicts on their economic group projects. The target group was the petty business women in Kinondoni municipality. This was a case study research which used both qualitative and quantitative data. Identification of study population was done using non-probability sampling procedures, especially through purposive and snowball sampling procedures. Methods used to collect data included face-to-face interview, focus group discussions for qualitative data while questionnaire administration with closed ended questions was used to collect quantitative data. Both content and SPSS statistical programme were used to analyze data. The findings indicated that, women are mostly involved in unsatble relationships with each other in their groups. It was also revealed that, women are involved in different economic group projects which, in principle, are expected to be of significant contribution to their economic empowerment. However, group members find themselves in conflicts and confrontations which weaken their relationships and consequently affect the economic growth of their projects. There is need to train women to work in groups through education and life skills and to orient them on how to manage their conflicts rationally and amicably.