Female-Headed Households‟ Livelihood Strategies in Jimma City, Southwest Ethiopia

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.