Women’s Empowerment through Agri -Cooperative Movements, evidence from Goromonzi District in Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe

B.Sc. Rutendo Aurelie Mazvi, BSc

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Agricultural cooperatives have been used as a powerful tool to eradicate poverty and improve the livelihoods of rural people all over the world. Although their popularity continues to increase little research has been done on agricultural cooperatives and how they empower women in Zimbabwe. Therefore, this study investigates the dynamics of gender and the benefits of women participation in cooperatives. We identified the factors that influence male and female membership in cooperatives, level of participation of women in cooperatives and the challenges faced by women participating in agricultural cooperatives. Data from 150 farmers was collected in Goromonzi district (Zimbabwe). We used Probit Regression, Independent t-test, the Likert Scale and Thematic Analysis to analyze the data. Our results show that the level of participation, of women in cooperatives in Goromonzi is high. At the same time the economic and social benefits derived from the cooperatives are the main determinants of female joining cooperatives. In conclusion the women empowerment is significant among cooperatives though more needs to be done to encourage women to talk leadership positions in cooperatives.

Keywords

Women empowerment, agricultural cooperatives, Goromonzi district, gender equality

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 20. 5. 2023

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Ing. Jana Mazancová, Ph.D.
• Reader: Lukáš Zagata, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme:
Agri-food Systems and Rural Development