An exploration of the role of women in the household poverty alleviation in the Amatikulu area, Umlalazi Municipality,Kwa-Zulu Natal province
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Date
2021
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Publisher
University of Zululand
Abstract
Poverty is a social problem that has incapacitated many African women from accessing quality standard of living. In the year 2000, the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (that isgoal 3) aimed at eradicating feminized poverty, and in 2015 the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reinforced this commitment. This resonates with challenges faced in South Africa since 1994, as the country has been experiencing increase in poverty, unemployment, and gender inequality in recruitment. Gender scholars have shown that higher percentage of women than those of men are still living below poverty line of R441 per month, and in South Africa and other African countries, women are not well-represented in the labour market. The aim of the study is to explore the women’s agency in poverty alleviation and focus on managing of poverty for women and their households. The present study argues that even though the United Nations introduced the MDGs and SDGs with the aim to end poverty and hunger by 2030, the role being played by women in their households and community. The study was underpinned by womanism theory, which argues that black women have been oppressed because of race and class. The study adopted qualitative research approach with non-probability sampling technique of a purposive sampling, 10 women participants were interviewed. Data collection instrument was used in-depth interviews were used are open-ended discovery methods. The main findings of the study revealed that despite the poverty socio-economically challenges that were faced by women in their household, they were engaged in women’s role in imperative to overcome poverty within women leader’s household. The study has added more insight into the exploration of women’s agency in poverty alleviation, and in managing their household against poverty. The study recommends that women need a diversity of practical training programs that will assist in educating them about financial budgeting and how to gain business skills. The future research can explore the study in other geographic area to investigate whether other women’s experiences are similar to what have been obtained in Amatikulu area. The study recommends that women need diversity of practical training programs that will assist in educating them about financial budgeting and how to gain the business skills.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Development Studies at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2021.
Keywords
Household poverty alleviation, poverty, African women, feminized poverty