Assessment of Gender Discrimination against Women In Accessing Financial Capital

Abstract

This study assesses gender discrimination against women in accessing financial capital, focusing on Rombo District within the Kilimanjaro Region. The research is guided by three specific objectives, to examine the extent of gender discrimination against women in accessing financial capital, to identify the factors contributing to this discrimination and to explore the challenges women face in accessing financial capital in the Rombo District. The study is informed by gender discrimination theory, feminist theory and access to capital finance theory along with a conceptual framework. A qualitative research approach was employed, with a sample size of 24 participants, including 18 women from Rombo District, 03 loan officers from CRDB, NMB and TCB/POSTA Bank and 03 social workers from Mengwe, Holili and Mkuu Rombo/Mokala wards. Participants were selected using stratified random and purposive sampling. Data collection methods included interviews and documentary reviews. Findings revealed that gender discrimination in accessing financial capital that persists in Rombo District is based on cultural norms that exclude women from inheriting assets and land. The exclusion causes the women lack collateral requirements for loans, lack of education to women, lack of property ownership, credit barriers and education barriers. Further house holder responsibilities and mobility constraints and also limited access to information and networks contribute as gender discrimination factors .The study recommends curing gender discrimination against women in financial issues. To remove cultural barriers which marginalised women, to provide education to the community about gender equality, to open women desks in financial institutions discussing issues of loan equality and informs policymakers by elaborating the specific barriers women face in accessing financial capital and the systemic factors contributing these challenges to remove it these illegal cultural norms.