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DODOMA: THE University of Dodoma’s College of Business and Economics has underscored the need for government to allocate more budget to improve business infrastructures for women in efforts to further empower them economically.

Acting College Deputy Principal, Ismail Juma Ismail, made the call in a meeting to avail the findings of a research.

The research explored the impact of increasing government’s budget allocation by 7 per cent to infrastructure improvement. The report assessed how such an increase could improve economic activities, particularly for women.

He said the study found that enhancing infrastructure, especially road networks, would significantly reduce the time women spend travelling to markets where they engage in economic activities.

This improvement would empower women by allowing them to participate more effectively in the economy, ultimately increasing their income and economic contributions.

He recommended that the government considers scrapping some taxes on registered companies to encourage them to hire more women in the formal sector, helping them to become more economically active.

“As you know, women are heavily involved in many domestic activities, so if infrastructures, particularly roads, are not improved, it means they will spend a lot of time travelling to markets. This time spent travelling adds to the disadvantages women face, so improving infrastructure could empower women significantly, enabling them to compete more effectively,” he said.

The research findings were presented to government officials and members of parliament for them to consider incorporating the findings in the long-term plans for the women economic empowerment.

The study from the University of Dodoma has provided crucial insights into how infrastructure investments can lead to greater economic empowerment for women.

The researchers and community advocates hoped that the government will take these findings seriously and work towards implementing the recommendations to support women’s economic development.

“The research findings suggest that if these measures are implemented, there is a significant possibility that by 2030, we will have greatly improved economic activities and empowered women to engage more in economic matters,” he stressed.

On his part, UDOM Senior Lecturer, Dr Joel Johnson Mimasa, advised the government to increase funding to infrastructures development by seven per cent in empowering women economically.

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“We have found that increasing the government’s budget by seven per cent could create a conducive environment for businesses, especially for women. It would reduce the time women spend travelling from one place to another, enabling them to participate more in economic activities and generate more income. It would also increase productivity for the government as more people would be able to engage in economic activities.”

Additionally, he said, the government could consider reducing taxes for registered companies, enabling them to employ more people, particularly women, in the formal sector, thus contributing to the country’s economy.

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Welfare and Community Development, Ms Fatma Toufiq said the findings will greatly assist them as policymakers in advising the government.