Women’s perception of cultural factors that contribute to their poverty: a case of Bariadi district
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Date
2008
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture.
Abstract
This study was conducted in Bariadi district with the objective of investigating cultural
factors that are perceived to contribute to poverty among women in rural areas. The
specific objectives were: to find out how women in rural areas perceive poverty; to identify
cultural factors which are perceived to be contributing to women’s poverty; to identify and
explain efforts made by women with respect to poverty alleviation. An interview schedule
and checklist of questions were used to collect data. Population for this study comprised
women aged 18 years and above who were randomly selected from six villages. Ten
respondents were randomly selected from each village. A total of 60 women aged 18 years
and above from 6 villages were interviewed. Most of the respondents were aware of what
poverty is and the major causes of poverty, according to them, were lack of education; lack
of freedom due to oppressive traditional, norms and customs; and lack of land and other
resources which are very essential for production. The respondents argued that oppressive
traditions norms and customs hinder women’s efforts in fighting against their poverty in
rural areas. The respondents suggested that support from government, NGOs and other
stakeholders are important to make sure that oppressive traditions and norms which are
against women are abolished. The study recommend among others that, girls being given
opportunities to go for the higher level, of education so that they are not deprived of getting
suitable education for their wellbeing; the Government should establish strict law &
punislunents that will make sure widows are not oppressed and suppressed by traditions,
norms and customs which subject women into poverty; and Government should help
widows in the formation of widows’ associations particularly in rural areas, to advance
their interests and rights.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Women’s perception, Cultural factors, Poverty, Bariadi district, Rural areas.