Rural Women and Livelihoods: Options for Poverty Alleviation in Drought Risk Areas of Bikita District, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This paper examined the role of women in livelihoods for the reduction of poverty in drought risk areas of Zimbabwe, case of ward 5, Bikita district. There is an increase of rural women’s participation in economic activities to reduce poverty. The persistence of drought and economic collapse in Zimbabwe influenced the increased participation of rural women in productive activities. Rural women have become breadwinners in most households and have since adopted various livelihood activities to survive. These livelihoods should be able to cater for their daily household needs. A case study design was employed in this study. The study used questionnaires and semi-structured interviews as data collecting instruments. Livelihood activities found included seasonal farming, gardening, and money saving schemes, informal trading, and informal trading. Challenges faced contained within, persistent droughts, economic crisis, lack of economic opportunities, poor access to productive resources, erratic climatic changes and poor infrastructure and technological facilities.
 
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