The Role of Women’s Micro-enterprises in Enhancing Rural Households’ Access to Basic Needs and Services: Evidence from Fish Selling Micro-enterprises in Kilwa District, Tanzania

Abstract

This paper examines the role of women’s micro-enterprises (WMEs) in enhancing rural households’ access to basic needs and services. A case study was carried out among women’s micro-enterprises involved in fish selling business in Kilwa District. The sample was selected from two fish selling markets namely Nangurukuru and Somanga. From the target population of 210 women entrepreneurs, 86 respondents were sampled for this study through stratified and random sampling. A mixed methodology was employed whereby quantitative and qualitative data were collected concurrently by use of questionnaires (both structured and unstructured) and interviews, hence analyzed concurrently. The study findings suggest that women’s micro enterprises play a crucial role in enhancing rural households’ access to basic needs including food, clothing and housing as well as access to basic services including education and health care.

Key Words: Micro-enterprises, Women Entrepreneurs, Rural poverty, Poverty Reduction.