Challenges Facing Women Vegetable Vendors in Arusha, Tanzania: A Case of the Tengeru Market

Abstract

The study aimed to analyse the challenges that women vegetable vendors face in Arusha, Tanzania, with a focus on Tengeru market. A cross-sectional research design was adopted in this study. A case study, as opposed to a broad statistical survey, focuses on a specific circumstance. It refers to the process of getting an understanding of a topic without including the entire population. The survey's findings showed that the majority of respondents were female due to the nature of the study, were in their 21s to 25s, and had only completed primary education. The study's findings again showed that the majority of respondents sold vegetables in their local community markets to generate revenue. Also, the majority of these people were participating in vegetable vending activities due to persuasion from their families, spouses, local government officials, societal seminars, and other groups. Furthermore, it was found that a few individuals claimed that the income they were generating from their activities was insufficient to satisfy their households' requirements or other socioeconomic activities.
 The study discovered that vegetable vendors faced numerous challenges, including a lack of assistance from the government or their families, a lack of confidence, a lack of skills and knowledge, and work interruptions due to violence against women. According to the study, the government should assist them by providing loans, enacting laws and regulations, raising awareness, and developing useful materials.