Determinants of Female Students’ Participation in Hard Trade Programmes in Vocational Training Institutions in Bukoba Municipality

Abstract

 The study examines the determinants of female students’ participation in hard trade programmes in vocational training institutions in Bukoba, Tanzania. Using a mixed-methods approach under a pragmatist convergent design, the study involved 130 respondents: 103 male students who participated in the quantitative study, 2 Principals, and 25 female students who participated in the qualitative study. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively using SPSS software version 26, and qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. The study employed purposive and stratified sampling followed by simple random. The study found that female participation in hard trade programmes remains low and uneven due to social and institutional constraints. Though institutional leadership is challenged by stereotypes, weak support systems, limited resources, and poor industry linkages, mentorship, career guidance, sensitisation, and stakeholder collaboration are key strategies for improving participation.  In conclusion, the study revealed that female participation in hard trade programmes remains low and uneven, largely due to persistent social and institutional constraints that limit women's access, enrolment, and retention in these programmes. The study recommends that strengthening gender-responsive policies, coordinated interventions, and support systems are necessary to improve female participation in hard trade programmes.