A1 Journal article (refereed)
Is no One Left Behind? : Inclusive Citizenship in Practices of Self-help Groups in Rural Tanzania (2023)
Matunga, B. N., & Kontinen, T. (2023). Is no One Left Behind? : Inclusive Citizenship in Practices of Self-help Groups in Rural Tanzania. Forum for Development Studies, 50(1), 83-105. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039410.2023.2176784
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Matunga, Benta N.; Kontinen, Tiina
Journal or series: Forum for Development Studies
ISSN: 0803-9410
eISSN: 1891-1765
Publication year: 2023
Publication date: 28/02/2023
Volume: 50
Issue number: 1
Pages range: 83-105
Publisher: Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI); Norwegian Association for Development Research; Routledge
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08039410.2023.2176784
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/86063
Additional information: NorDev21: Development, Learning and Education. Post-pandemic Considerations?
Abstract
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are based on the Agenda 2030 according to which ‘no one is left behind’, highlighting the need for inclusive citizenship at all levels. This article examines self-help groups in rural Tanzania as potential arenas for inclusive citizenship, which is defined as bottom-up practices of membership, participation, and livelihood enhancement. However, inclusive citizenship is also characterised by exclusions. Therefore, while acknowledging the important contribution of self-help groups for development, this article scrutinises the question of patterns of exclusion, first, in practices of self-help groups, and second, in the relationships between self-help groups and their wider environments. Based on participant observation, individual interviews, and focus groups discussions in three villages in Mpwapwa District in Tanzania, we found exclusions in the process of establishing groups, while participating in the groups, and in relation to the community and the wider socio-economic system. The findings show how less privileged members of a community are easily excluded from the groups based on criteria related to wealth and perceived trustworthiness, and how the improvements in livelihoods, capacities, and collective action remain local, and do not expand to engagement in wider decision-making nor to addressing the root causes of poverty.
Keywords: civil society; social inclusion; participation; civic activism; self-help groups; poverty; social exclusion; rural communities; village communities
Free keywords: inclusive citizenship; exclusion; self-help groups; participation practices; poverty reduction; Tanzania
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- Theory and practice of learning to be a citizen: Experiences from Tanzania and Uganda
- Kontinen, Tiina
- Research Council of Finland
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2023
JUFO rating: 1