Over the past two decades the questions related to the recognition of women‟s role in
economic and social development and of equality between men and women have fostered increasing
interest among policy-makers and development practitioners. Despite a noticeable improvement in
gender awareness in Tanzania, data on women‟s work, their participation in microfinance
institutions for example savings and credit societies (SACCOS) and their economic contribution have
remained far from comprehensive. Even where information is available, it is not sufficiently utilized
as a tool by planners and decision-makers for promotion and development of microfinance
institutions. This is particularly evident with regard to the role of women in cooperative financial
institutions which include SACCOS and cooperative banks.
With new challenges arising from technological development, political and economic liberalization
processes, the demand for SACCO‟s gender -specific information is growing. This demand comes
from various data-users: policy analysts, researchers, academics, rural planners, and business pe ople.
These information and data are important to facilitate intervention on SACCOS. Apart from this,
more is required on their skills in managing organizations such as SACCOS.
The objective of this paper was to examine the participation of women in SACCOS with major focus
on membership, governance and management. These are major elements that one can use to assess
and determine how women can participate in SACCOS.
Based on the desk research done and evidence from various studies, the paper identifies enabling
and constrains factors for women to participate in SACCOS. Suggestions for ameliorating these
constraints were made and policy implications drawn.