Gender and Rural Poverty in Tanzania: Case of Selected Villages in Morogoro Rural and Kilosa Districts

Abstract

As in many other developing countries, in Tanzania poverty is concentrated in rural areas and is more widespread among women than men. This justifies the need to pay attention to gender dimensions in rural livelihoods as an entry point to address gender differentiated opportunities in development towards alleviating poverty. This paper uses data collected from 146 households in Morogoro Rural and Kilosa districts to examine the effect on women’s livelihoods of gender bias in terms of access to and control over resources, household decision making, and access to and control over income. The findings on gender related issues in relation to the livelihoods patterns indicate that the poor rural women largely depend on farming but are increasingly diversifying agricultural income with non-farm income generating activities. Most women have access to land for agricultural production although limited control over it as well as limited access and control over income from agricultural activities. Other constraints that inhibit women from expanding livelihood activities are limited access to credit, agricultural extension services as well as being denied say in household decision-making since men have the final say during the decision making process. In general, the findings show that poor women have limited access and rights over resources that they can utilize to improve their livelihoods