Abstract

Women who are working for economic sustainability and social change in their local communities, especially economically poor women in developing countries, have a need for a recognition of their capacity for leadership and an opportunity to exercise leadership in their local community. A typical word for this process of development is empowerment. In 2005, Tanzania was estimated to have 1.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS. The estimated number for women was 710,000 (ages 15-49). The high incidence of HIV/AIDS among women is explained by the unequal social and socio-economic status of women and men. The economic impact of AIDS in Tanzania can be assessed in terms of the great loss of labor supply. Since women comprise between 60% and 80% of the labor required for farming activities in a country where 80% of the population is engaged in agriculture – corresponding to 52% of the GDP –, any losses in labor supply due to AIDS become a food security problem. This paper details the five-year collaborative process between a rural women’s cooperative and a small international NGO to build the capacity of women to engage and manage micro-businesses and to evaluate their perceptions of personal and social impact resulting from their participation.