The Role of SACCOS Microcredits on the Empowerment of Rural Female-Headed Households (FHHs) in Tanzania: A Case of Njombe Region: Moderating Role of Education and Mediating Role of Culture.

Kevela, Scholastica Christian (2024) The Role of SACCOS Microcredits on the Empowerment of Rural Female-Headed Households (FHHs) in Tanzania: A Case of Njombe Region: Moderating Role of Education and Mediating Role of Culture. Doctoral thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

The study investigated the role of SACCOS microcredits (SMCR) in empowering rural female household heads (FHHs) in the Njombe Region in Tanzania. The study's specific objectives were to examine the influence of SMCR on economic, social cultural and political empowerment, and the moderating role of education and the mediating role of culture in influencing SMCR and FHH empowerment. The primary data were randomly collected from the sample of 350 FHHs who were SACCOS borrowers. The structured questionnaire was used to collect data, The cross-sectional survey strategy and explanatory design facilitated data collection from four districts of the Njombe region. Data were analyzed using descriptive and regression analytical approaches concurrently with Hayes (2018) moderation and mediation processes. Findings showed that SMCR positively and significantly influenced economic and social-cultural empowerment. However, the influence of microcredits on political empowerment was positive but insignificant. Further, education positively and significantly moderated SMCR and FHHs' economic and social-cultural empowerment. The findings indicated that the moderating role of education on SMCR and political empowerment was insignificant. Moreover, culture mediated SMCR and FHHs' economic, social-cultural and political empowerment. The study emphasizes the government's formulation of policies that improve SACCOS services for marginalized groups such as FHHs. Moreover, the stakeholders should promote FHHs SACCOS services by providing financial support and training. They should also sensitize society to avoid social-cultural practices that hinder economic, social, and political empowerment of the FHHs. Keywords: SACCOS Microcredits, FHHs Empowerment, Education, Culture

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