Gendered Differential Barriers Facing Male and Female Handcraft Entrepreneurs in Tanzania: A Comparative Analysis

Laurent Kaburire & Elizabeth M. Msoka
St John’s University of Tanzania
Email: lkaburire@sjut.ac.tz / emsoka@sjut.ac.tz

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the gendered differential barriers facing male and female handicraft entrepreneurs. In order to gather the data, the study used a cross-sectional research design whereby structured questionnaires were distributed to male and female entrepreneurs in handicraft industry in Dar es Salaam and Arusha regions, involving a total of 135 respondents. Convenience sampling was used. With this method, the researcher used respondents that were available to reach. The data were analysed using inferential statics and T-test. The findings revealed that there is significant difference between male and female respondents in product knowledge development, market accessibility and gender roles whereby female respondents seem to be the most affected gender more than male. The study concluded that handicraft industry is one of the sectors which is recently growing, therefore the gendered barriers between male and female need to be resolved. Finally, the study recommends that both NGOs and the government institutions should work out on how best they can support both male and female entrepreneurs in the handicraft industry in Tanzania so as to enable it to contribute to the economic growth of the country.