Abstract

The study investigated the contribution of ziika women integrated development association (zwida) as a village savings and loan association (vsla) towards the financial inclusion of women in ziika community, wakiso district in uganda. Zwida is an evolution of a small women association established way back in 2001 with an objective of supporting and promoting the enhancement of community household incomes and related sustainability through mobilizing community savings. The study was guided by three objectives: to establish the types of products and services offered by zwida; to establish the requirements for accessing the products and services offered by zwida, and to investigate how the products and services are used as a tool for the financial inclusion of the members of zwida.

Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews. A total of 52 respondents participated in the study. Data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages alongside themes and narrations. 

The study found out that zwida offers three key products and services namely: loans, savings and financial education programs. Members are required to make compulsory savings once a month. For one to access the services of zwida, she must be a paying member who has undergone training on the financial matters of the association. The majority of the respondents of zwida have been able to open up bank accounts which have enabled them to access the services of the formal financial institutions. The study concludes that vslas like zwida can be effective tools for financial inclusion.