International financial institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund are pressing the government to open up more land to grow cash crops for export. Exports raise foreign exchange money in US dollars, German marks, English pounds, Japanese yen and French francs to pay interest on Tanzania's huge debt to foreign banks. Cotton, used in the production of textiles, is a cash export crop Tanzania can sell. Unfortunately, cotton also happens to be one of the crops most heavily sprayed with pesticides. Yet agricultural policy discriminates against women.
Men often own the land, tools, and resources.
Men have greater access to training in agricultural techniques, aid, and payment for export corps. As export crop production expands, women are losing access to land to grow food for their families. Women are forced to work for cash to feed their families. They work as vendors, cooks, maids and making home brews. Some have turned to prostitution to survive.