Women and Co-operatives in Tanzania-Separatism or Integration

Separatism or Integration?
Margareth R Msonganzila When Tanzania attained independence in 1961, the co-operative movement which had its roots in colonial period and had heen primarily a grass roots response to the exploitation of African farmers in the three-tiered racially stratified system had become unpopular and weak. The government's efforts to revitalise the movement gave birth to the concept of ujamaa villages which was rooted in an assumption of equal rights for all citizens, men and women. However, neither this nor the subsequent amendments to the co-operatives acts have been successful in empowering women.