Livelihood strategies of female headed households in Zimbabwe: the case of Magaso Village, Mutoko District in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Musekiwa, Pamela
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Women heads of households -- Zimbabwe , Women in agriculture -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Household surveys -- Zimbabwe , Poverty -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11763 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1005967 , Women heads of households -- Zimbabwe , Women in agriculture -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Household surveys -- Zimbabwe , Poverty -- Zimbabwe
- Description: This research study explored livelihood strategies that female headed households adopt in Magaso village of Mutoko district in Zimbabwe. The study intended to achieve the following objectives: (i) examine the existing livelihood strategies of female headed households (ii) explore the various challenges faced by female headed households and (iii) establish the support mechanisms in place for female headed households to cope with life challenges .The literature reviewed in the study was drawn from several researchers, and the study was shaped by the strengths perspectives and the liberal feminism perspective. The study was qualitative in nature and used interviews to collect data from fifteen (15) female headed households. The data collection process used an interview guide. The research employed a qualitative research design in the form of a case study cum a phenomenological study design. Data was analysed qualitatively using the content thematic data analysis which used interpretive approaches and presentation is textual rather than statistical. The study findings were the following: engaging in subsistence farming was found to be the main livelihood activity of the female heads; engaging in home gardens; exchanging labour for food; involvement in business; reliance on temporary employment from different agencies; reliance on handouts from government and other bodies; and household heads sanctioning child labour that compromises school attendance. Moreover, these female heads faced numerous difficulties ranging from emotional, social to financial problems that resulted in worsening the condition of women, and hence validating feminization of poverty among them. Several support mechanisms were discovered to be available for the female heads but they fail to produce to fruitful results to the lives of the female heads. The study made the following recommendations: mainstreaming gender education from childhood stage; efforts aimed at job creation; financial empowerment through setting up of micro schemes for rural women amongst; seeking the services of agricultural extension services to the female head farmers; improving the social services delivery in Zimbabwe equitably across genders and strengthening informal strategies to improve women‘s social capital. Lastly, the study concluded that little is being done in terms of policy formulation to make the support structures responsive to the female headed households especially in rural areas, hence the need for sustainable development through empowerment.
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The impact of donor-funded community empowerment projects on poverty alleviation: a case of selected projects in Chiredzi district of Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mundau, Mulwayini
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Non-governmental organizations -- Zimbabwe , Economic assistance -- Zimbabwe , Community development -- Zimbabwe , Donor-advised funds -- Zimbabwe -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11762 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1005637 , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Non-governmental organizations -- Zimbabwe , Economic assistance -- Zimbabwe , Community development -- Zimbabwe , Donor-advised funds -- Zimbabwe -- Case studies
- Description: The aim of the study was to carry out an investigation into the impact of donor-funded community empowerment projects on poverty alleviation. The data for this study were from the use of triangulation method of data collection which enhanced the assessment of the impact of donor funded community empowerment projects on poverty alleviation with specific focus on selected projects in the Chiredzi district of Zimbabwe. The findings of the study show the need for adoption of empowerment inclined practices by the local NGOs. There is need for community involvement in decision making, project ownership, and clear lines of communication with the NGOs, among others. However the findings also show the strength in linking project members with relevant institutions, and training, in order to ensure sustainability of community projects in ensuring community empowerment towards poverty eradication.
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