Economic, Social, and Leadership Empowerment of Women through Unregistered Village Community Banking in Arusha District
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59645/abr.v17i2.680Keywords:
Economic, Social and Leadership Empowerment of Women, Unregistered Village Community Banking, Arusha DistrictAbstract
Village Community Banking (VICOBA) empowers Tanzanian women economically and socially, yet over 55 percent operate informally without registration, limiting access to training and leadership opportunities. This study employed a qualitative narrative design under the interpretivist philosophy to examine the lived experiences of 30 women involved in unregistered Village Community Banking (VICOBA) groups within Arusha District. It was grounded in the Resource-Based View and Empowerment Theory, which highlight how training, capacity building, and leadership development strengthen women’s financial independence and social participation. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions using a snowball sampling technique. The collected narratives were transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed to uncover recurring patterns and underlying meanings. To ensure credibility and trustworthiness, the study applied triangulation, member checking, and peer debriefing, while adhering to strict ethical standards, including informed consent and voluntary participation. Results show that while 70 percent of participants gained economic and social benefits, 65 percent struggled with financial limitations, 60 percent lacked adequate training, and 75 percent faced gender constraints. The study concludes that unregistered VICOBAs hold strong potential for women’s economic, social, and leadership empowerment but remain constrained by informal structures and limited support. It recommends formal registration, leadership development, capacity building, and financial literacy training to unlock their full potential and strengthen sustainable community transformation.
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