Drivers of Rural Women Participation in Income Generating Activities in Mufindi District-Iringa

Abstract

This study aims to examine the determinants of
women's participation in income-generating
activities, specifically focusing on the types of
activities they engage in, the extent of their
participation, the socio-economic factors
influencing their involvement, and the challenges
they face. The study used the experiences of rural
women in Mufindi district as practical evidence.
Primary data were collected through random
sampling of 150 respondents from the district.
Descriptive statistics and double hurdle models
were used in the analysis. Most women in Mufindi
district do not participate in large-scale incomegenerating activities. They are generally viewed as
housewives, with local customs and traditions
expecting only husbands to participate in larger
economic ventures. As a result, women primarily
engage in smaller income-generating activities,
such as selling vegetables and fruit, livestock
products, hairdressing, wage labor, and tailoring.
The most common income-generating activities in
the study area were small businesses and
agriculture, although many women participated in
agriculture primarily for home consumption. This
paper reviews the literature on women's
participation, challenges, and the extent of
involvement in income-generating activities, with a
focus on rural women's perspectives. It also
provides a foundation for further research on the
challenges hindering women's participation in highincome-generating activities, especially in
developing countries. The study recommends that
women entrepreneurs in Mufindi district be
organized into groups for training in other incomegenerating activitie