Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate livelihood strategies of Female Headed Households
(FHHs) in Jimma city. It aims to explore how FHHs cope up with changing urban life and
identify the livelihood assets used for FHHs in making urban livelihood. Both qualitative and
quantitative research methods were used for this research. Structured questionnaire was
administered to collect data from one hundred twenty households from two purposively selected
kebeles of Jimma city. The study employed simple random sampling technique. Questionnaire
and interview guide were employed as data collection instruments. Data were collected from
primary and secondary sources. Descriptive data analysis method was used to analyze the
gathered quantitative data with the help of SPSS software version 20 and the data was presented
in tabular form. Qualitative data was analyzed through thematic analysis method and
quantitative data was analyzed using various statistics. Chi square was run to test degree of
association between dependent and independent variables. In examining the livelihood of FHHs,
the study was guided by sustainable livelihood framework with the liberal theory of feminism.
The study found that FHHs develop various strategies for survival. The main livelihood
strategies pursued by the female household heads in the study kebeles include daily labor,
making and selling enjera, selling fruits and vegetables, washing clothes, baking and selling
ambasha and tea and domestic services. Collecting and selling fire wood, selling charcoal and
providing food for work services for the well-off households just to survive are also among the
livelihood strategies widely pursued by female household heads in the study kebeles. Lack of
access to different resources and opportunities (especially lack of access to education, credit,
formal employment, lack of support and no or little asset base among other things) deteriorated
the livelihood of FHHs in the study areas. Majority of the livelihood strategies are merely for
survival having minimal potential for asset accumulation. Even though FHHs develop various
coping mechanisms, they are still far from achieving desirable and sustainable livelihood
outcomes. Moreover, FHHs faced several challenges ranging from emotional, social to
economic problems that resulted in worsening their livelihood condition. In line with the findings
obtained from this study, recommendations to respective governmental, NGOs and concerned
bodies have been forwarded.
