Gendered challenges faced by rural women self-help groups in Shurugwi District, Zimbabwe
Keywords:
gendered-challenges, rural women, self-help groups, sustainabilityAbstract
This study explores the gendered challenges faced by rural women self-help groups in the Shurugwi District, Zimbabwe, and analyses how these challenges impact the sustainability of their projects. The absence of focused research on the specific gendered challenges encountered by rural women's self-help groups inspired this investigation. A qualitative approach was adopted, utilising in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) for data collection. The findings revealed that rural women self-help groups encounter numerous gendered challenges, including the undermining of women-initiated projects by male counterparts; limited access to and control over agricultural equipment and draught power; discriminatory practices in the distribution of agricultural inputs; a scarcity of land for group projects; time constraints stemming from gendered reproductive roles; and the lack of collateral to secure funding opportunities.
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