Empowering women in agriculture: An exploration of the role of traditional governance structures in promoting women in agriculture. A case study of ward 8 Murehwa District.

Author
Deka, Vimbiso Y
Title
Empowering women in agriculture: An exploration of the role of traditional governance structures in promoting women in agriculture. A case study of ward 8 Murehwa District.
Abstract
World over, the contribution of women in farming has now been significantly acknowledged. However, women in farming are still disproportionately affected by social systems which favour their masculine counterparts, a situation which necessitates the role of traditional governance structures in reducing such disparities. This study therefore examined how traditional leadership and governance structures affect women’s agricultural empowerment in ward of Murehwa District. In particular, the study focused on assessing the social and economic barriers to women’s participation in farming, the effect of traditional leadership on women’s involvement in farming as well as opportunities created by traditional leadership for promoting female farmers in ward 8 Murehwa District. The study collected both qualitative and quantitative data using key informants’ interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires from a sample of 43 participants. Data were analysed using quantitative descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) as well as qualitative content analysis. The findings revealed that limited decisions making power, limited access to resources, patriarchal systems, and limited knowledge among other socioeconomic factors affect women negatively from participating in farming. Traditional leadership was found to be playing a serious role in encouraging women’s involvement in farming. Recommendations were made that traditional leaders need to collaborate and maintain the existing relationships with other stakeholders so that they can have diverse and collaborative minds in making decisions concerning the promotion of women in agriculture.
Date
June 2025
Publisher
BUSE
Keywords
Women
Traditional Governance
Agriculture
Supervisor
N/A
Media
Deka, Vimbiso Y.pdf

Part of Empowering women in agriculture: An exploration of the role of traditional governance structures in promoting women in agriculture. A case study of ward 8 Murehwa District.