Pursuing a Social Development Agenda in the Context of Globalisation: A South African Perspective

Economic Experiences of Single Mothers in Bhambayi, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

“…Consistent with other studies, this is mainly linked to limited literacy and numeracy skills, which are widely acknowledged as key determinants of women's poverty (Arndt, 2002;Dominelli, 2004;Sewpaul, 2005). Furthermore, women in most female-headed households tend to have an increasing incidence of poverty and become the poorest groups in society (Triegaardt, 2009). All of the women rationalised the need to supplement their menial income received from the state child support grant by engaging in a livelihood activity such as sewing, knitting, bead-making, cooking and baking, gardening, hairdressing and vending.…”

“…The increased poverty in these households was evident in the growing number of women and children who were poor (Heintz & Jardine, 2008). It is thus widely acknowledged in the international community that poverty is both quantitatively and qualitatively different for women as a result of the systematic discrimination that they face in education, health care, food security, access to land and employment (Dominelli, 2004;Sewpaul, 2005;Triegaardt, 2009). The UNDP reveals that "although women make up about 50% of the world population they constitute 70% of the world's poor and 66% of the world's illiterates" (http://www.unpac.ca -accessed 25/02/2011).…”

“…The past two decades bear testimony to the continued dominance of international institutions such as the World Bank, the World Trade Organisation and the IMF, and the negative effects of neoliberal economic policies of globalisation and privatisation on livelihoods of women (Rowlands, 2002;Sewpaul, 2005). With the global economic downturn, in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, eight out of ten women workers in formal sector employment are considered to be in vulnerable positions (Triegaardt, 2009). Arndt (2002) argues that the reason for women remaining poor is primarily a result of their relationship with the labour market in the global economy.…”

“…However, it is important at the same time to acknowledge the arguments put forward by Holscher (2008), Sewpaul (2005) and Gray (2006) that, although various income-generating activities have been implemented with some degree of success, there remain alarmingly high levels of poverty and inequality in South Africa. Triegaardt (2009) indicates that women make up 37% of the economically unemployed in the country. Frye and Kirsten (2012) argue that as a result of the skewed distribution of resources and income, millions of women who embark on small-scale livelihood activities rarely earn enough income to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.…”

Distance Parenting – Implications for Social Work Practice

“…Although GEAR promised the reduction of unemployment from 1996 when it was implemented, this has not been realised. Instead, by the end of 2001 -five years after its inception -it had failed to deliver the 1.3 million new jobs that had been projected, and neither were the private and welfare sectors reformed (Natrass, 2006;Triegaardt, 2009). This maintains the status quo of circular labour migration and the need for a stimulation of local production, manufacturing and provision of services, so that people are more likely to work near home and thus stay with their families.…”