An Assessment of the Socio Economic Condition of Female-Headed Households in Debre Markos Town Especially: The Case of Kebele 01

Abstract

In general terms, women in developing countries are more disadvantaged in the labor market. They tend to be frequently employed in the informal sector and work in lower occupation positions compared to their male counterparts. The general objective of this study is assessing the socio-economic condition of female-headed household in Debre Markos Town: The case of kebele 01. To gather the relevant data the researcher conducted a survey using quantitative and qualitative research methods. This study focused on 328 FHHs population and a sample of 50 randomly selected household. The study tools were interview and questionnaire. The findings of the study reveal that the socio economic problem of female-headed households is increasing from time to time. FHHs are the poorest of the poor and faced by high economic problem. There are so many female-head households, often due to divorce, separation, death, etc. The economic condition of FHHs is very low because FHHs do not have regular sources of income. Different FHHs employ various short-term and long-term coping mechanisms to adopt the livelihood insecurity’s but there coping mechanisms are not. The recommendations generated include: females must be involved in formal sectors to change their living conditions. To realize women’s participation, women’s capacity should be enhanced through education and training and access to resources/capital must also be enhanced and credits available to women. The government and NGOs should give attention to the children’s access to basic and developmental needs like education and health.