Viability of indigenous knowledge and skills in women economic empowerment: A case study of the Great Zimbabwe craft centre in Chief Mugabe’s area of Masvingo District

Abstract

The study explores the economic viability of indigenous knowledge and skills in craft in women empowerment at Great Zimbabwe craft centre in Chief Mugabe’s area of Masvingo District. Increasing attention has been given to indigenous knowledge in craft in third World communities as a potential basis for economic empowerment for women. The study used the convenient sample of 30 craft women and 30 women graduate teachers in Masvingo District. The study compared the income derived from indigenous knowledge and skills in craft in women with that of their counter-parts graduate teachers in the Ministry of Education, Arts, Sport and Culture. The comparative study adopted by the study seeks to determine the economic viability of indigenous knowledge and skills in women in craft business. Findings from this study indicated that the women with indigenous knowledge and skills surpass their counter-part graduate teachers in income earnings per month, have better access to foreign currency and high skills for surviving in harsh economic conditions. From these findings, the study recommends the incorporation of such indigenous knowledge and skills in craft into formal education system so as to develop and preserve the knowledge, develop new technologies and provide self employment avenues.

Key words: indigenous knowledge, women empowerment, skills, economic empowerment, craft.