Livelihood Security of Female Headed Rural Households in Raya Alamata Woreda , Southern Tigray , Ethiopia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the livelihood condition of rural female headed households in Alamata Woreda of Southern Tigray. The particular interest of the study includes assessing resource availability by female headed households and to what extent they are vulnerable to a variety of shocks. The study also attempted to explore livelihood strategies, household coping mechanisms as well as strategies adopted by government and non-governmental development actors in the area. In order to identify the possible impact of gender on the livelihood condition of rural households, a comparative analysis which considers both female headed and male headed households was conducted. For the purpose of theoretical guidance, the sustainable livelihood approach and the gender empowerment theory were considered as basic frameworks. The study employed a household survey in order to collect information on important aspects of the topic such as household socio-demographic characteristics, access to different types of livelihood resources, households’ food security situation, as well as coping mechanisms adopted by the households. Moreover, Focus-group discussions in each of the selected Kebeles and interviews with some key informants (like Woreda and Kebele officials, experts working in the Woreda Office of Agriculture and Rural Development, and development agents in each Kebele) were conducted. Information gathered by the focus-group discussions and in-depth interview was analysed qualitatively where as that of household survey data were coded and entered into computer for statistical analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).The study findings indicate that there was significant difference between female headed and male headed households in terms of their access to various household assets and options of livelihood diversification. In many of the livelihood capitals such as the natural capital, financial capital and human capital, male headed households were found to be in a better position than female headed households. Consequently, female headed households were more vulnerable to various types of livelihood crises with weak resilience capacity than that of male headed households.