1. Women's groups and individual entrepreneurs: A Ugandan case study
- Author
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Ellen Kajura, Helen Pickering, George Katongole, and James A. G. Whitworth
- Subjects
Rural Population ,Entrepreneurship ,Economics ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Culture ,Population ,Geography, Planning and Development ,Developing country ,Development ,Women in development ,Gender Studies ,Ethnicity ,Population Characteristics ,Uganda ,Women ,Economic impact analysis ,Socioeconomics ,education ,Developing Countries ,Women entrepreneurs ,Africa South of the Sahara ,Demography ,media_common ,education.field_of_study ,Politics ,Africa, Eastern ,Socioeconomic Factors ,Social protection ,Public Opinion ,Africa ,Income ,Women's Rights ,Social Planning ,Bureaucracy ,Psychology - Abstract
This study is based on interviews conducted among 8 women's income-generating groups and 12 individual women entrepreneurs in 15 villages in Masaka district, Uganda. The Baganda are the main tribe in the study villages. The study evaluates the economic achievement, objectives, and social characteristics of the groups. Groups ranged in size from 9-20 members. All had functioned for 3-5 years. A regular membership fee was paid through the sale of agricultural produce. Groups met at least every 2 weeks. This study revealed that the individual goals were to increase individual wealth, while the stated group goals were to invest in the community. Members considered the groups as useful in providing an easy way to raise capital. Most members considered financial status as a criterion for group membership. Elderly women tended to join social and handicraft groups. The women's group members tended to be friends before the establishment of the group and tended to be currently married to men residing in the area. Of the 12 women entrepreneurs, only 5 were currently married. All 12 women entrepreneurs had considerable initiative. The 12 women and the women's group members derived income from two or more sources: agricultural projects, animal husbandry, craft production, alcohol production and sale, or other activities. Study findings indicate that decisions were often delayed or avoided in order to preserve social cohesion. In a market-oriented enterprise, quick response time is needed and the bureaucratic dynamics would hinder some agricultural ventures. The poorest women experienced barriers to group membership. Women entrepreneurs were more successful than group women.
- Published
- 1996
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