Assessment of Women's Empowerment in Aquaculture Cooperatives, Evidence from Masvingo Rural District, Zimbabwe

B.Sc. Paula Raviro Gapa, BSc

Diplomová práce

Abstract:

This study investigates the role of aquaculture cooperatives in promoting gender equity and women's empowerment in Masvingo District, Zimbabwe. Utilising a mixed-methods approach, data was collected through surveys and semi-structured interviews with 197 cooperative members from 9 cooperatives. The Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) was employed to assess empowerment levels across five domains: agricultural production decisions, access to resources, income control, leadership, and time allocation. Findings indicate that age, marital status, access to training and leadership roles significantly influence women's empowerment. Most women hold social community leadership roles. However, women face challenges in land ownership, access to resources, and decision-making power. Aquaculture cooperatives contribute to members' economic stability and offer equal opportunities for participation, which enhances members' assertiveness. Key challenges include limited market access, insufficient government support, and funding constraints, which impede the cooperatives' growth and disproportionately affect women. The study concludes that while aquaculture cooperatives have the potential to empower women, addressing systemic inequalities and providing targeted support is crucial for achieving gender equity and enhancing the cooperatives' overall impact.

Keywords

Women Empowerment, Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI), Cooperatives, Aquaculture Cooperatives, Rural Development

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 13. 9. 2025

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Obhajoba proběhla 15. 9. 2025
• Vedoucí: Ing. Jana Mazancová, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Jakub Husák, Ph.D.

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Fakulta tropického zemědělství

Magisterský studijní program:
International Development and Agricultural Economics