Women's Empowerment through Small-scale Mixed Porridge Flour Processing in the Morogoro Region of Tanzania

Abstract

This study examines women's empowerment among small-scale processors of mixed porridge flour (‘lishe’ in Swahili) in the Morogoro region of Tanzania. Lishe, which also means ‘nutrition’ in Swahili, is said to be a developed version of indigenous porridge flour in this area, and was commercialised at the time when HIV/AIDS was prevalent. With considerable external support from donors, small-scale woman processors of food (including lishe) have been very active in creating and expanding their businesses. They have also formed groups and shared techniques and information about the market, and have distributed loans among themselves. It is difficult for women to be empowered individually, but by forming groups and with support from external actors, they are becoming empowered together. Under pressure from government authorities and consumers to satisfy requirements for food safety, they are now engaged in a collective effort to develop appropriate techniques for processing their products and adequate foundations for that processing. By working together, they can foresee the possibility of formalising their businesses.