Examining the Role of Village Community Banks (VICOBA) in Women Empowerment: A Case of Ilala Municipality Major Markets.

Kamugisha, Jesca (2025) Examining the Role of Village Community Banks (VICOBA) in Women Empowerment: A Case of Ilala Municipality Major Markets. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

This study examines the role of Village Community Banks (VICOBA) in empowering women within Ilala Municipality’s major markets. Grounded in Naila Kabeer’s Feminist Economics of Empowerment, the study employs an interpretivist research philosophy, using a qualitative research design and a case study approach. The research utilizes purposive sampling to select 30 participants, including VICOBA members, leaders, and Community Development Officers. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and secondary document analysis. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key patterns related to financial inclusion, decision-making power, and socio-cultural transformations. Findings reveal that VICOBA fosters women's financial autonomy by improving access to credit, enhancing financial literacy, and strengthening social support networks. Moreover, participation in VICOBA challenges traditional gender norms by increasing women’s leadership roles in both household and community decision-making. Despite these benefits, challenges such as financial illiteracy, limited access to capital, and societal constraints persist. The study concludes that VICOBA plays a crucial role in advancing gender equality and economic empowerment but requires further policy interventions to enhance sustainability and accessibility.

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