Psychosocial Challenges And Coping Strategies Of Female Headed Households In Matahara Town

Abstract

This research study explored psychosocial challenges and coping strategies that female-headed households adopt at Matahara town. 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) examine the support mechanisms of female headed households to cope with life challenges . The literature reviewed to collect data from 16 female headed- household. The study was qualitative in nature and thus employed interviews and focal group discussion with key respondents. Data was analyzed qualitatively using the content thematic data analysis which used interpretive approaches and presentation is textual rather than statistical. The study findings show that the livelihood of FHH are engaging in informal trading , the main livelihood activity of the female heads; exchanging labor for food; reliance on temporary employment from different agencies; reliance on handouts from government and other bodies. 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 be fruitful results. 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 urban women thereto improving the social services delivery in equitably across genders and strengthening informal strategies to improve women‘s social capital.