Women Relationship and Its Implications to Their Economic Development:The Case of Women in Kinondoni Municipality

The main goal of this study was to assess the relationship among women and its effects to the successes of their economic projects. The study attempted to answer the following questions: What is the type of relationship among women in economic group projects? What economic group activities do they commonly conduct? Do they experience any conflicts? What are the main causes of the said conflicts, and what are the effects of these conflicts on the success/performance of the involved women’s economic projects? The study was conducted among petty business women in Kinondoni municipality. Their selection was done using non-probability sampling procedures, especially through purposive and snowball sampling procedures. The study included both qualitative and quantitative data, which were obtained through face to face interview, focus group discussions, and direct observation methods. In relation to the objectives of this study, the research findings indicate that, women are mostly involved in relationships with one another in their groups; albeit the fact that these relationships are to some significant extent unstable and non-persistent. The study also revealed that, women are involved in different economic group projects which, in principle were expected to be of significant contribution to their economic empowerment. However, members in most of these groups have conversely demonstrated to be involved in conflicts and confrontations which, in turn have weakened their friendship relations and retarded the said women’s economic development. Hence, conflict remains one of the major factors contributing to women low economic performance, low income development, the split and collapse of women’s business networks as well as women’s group business drop out and the stagnation of their economic development in general. Thus, deliberate interventions need to be taken by the government, women institutions or organisations, and women in general to promote the involved women’s education, raise their awareness on the importance of working together through trusting and respecting each other as well as managing their conflicts rationally and amicably