The Quality of Life of Families of Female-Headed Households in Botswana: A Secondary Analysis of Case Studies

Abstract

Previous studies note a positive relationship between female-headed households (FHHs) and poverty in urban and rural areas of Botswana. To explore this further, data were collected from 7 FHHs through participant observation and open-ended interviews. A secondary analysis of data described the quality of life (QOL) of members of the households according to one's ability to meet basic human needs (food, water, shelter, safety, and health). FHHs ranged in age from 40-91 years, with family size ranging from 1-11 members. Monthly income for 6 of the 7 families was 30 dollars (U.S.) per month or less. Physical living environments were overcrowded, with poorly maintained latrines and unsafe refuse disposal. Family illnesses included hypertension, cataracts, mental illness, knee pain, ringworm, leg sores, and tonsillitis. Health risk behaviours included unprotected sex, alcohol abuse, and breastfeeding among potentially HIV positive mothers. Although Botswana claims rapidly rising levels of national income after independence, the QOL of FHHs remains poor. We suggest that, to alleviate poverty, governments in developing African countries should explore strategies that effectively target families headed by women.

5 - Moderating Poverty: The Role of Remittances from Migration in Botswana

“…However, bearing in mind the controversy related to measurement of poverty (see Aaberge and Mogstad 2007), the 25% level of (extreme) poverty is considered tentative. In view of the feminization of poverty theory, our observation that female-headed households were more likely to be transitorily poorer than their male counterparts is consistent with other findings (see Akinsola and Popovich 2002). However, we find no evidence of gender difference in the experience of extreme poverty, and this requires some comment.…”

Remittances from Internal Migration and Poverty in Botswana

“…However, bearing in mind the controversy related to measurement of poverty (Aaberge & Mogstad, 2007), the poverty levels deserve further consideration. In view of the feminization of poverty theory, our observation that female headed households were more likely to be transitorily poorer than their male counterparts is consistent with other findings (Akinsola & Popovich, 2002). However, we find no evidence of gender difference in the experience of extreme poverty and this requires some comment.…”

“…However, two of the issues that concern the government and public a great deal are unemployment (especially among young professionals) and poverty. It was generally acknowledged that rural households were generally poor with the majority being female-headed households (Akinsola & Popovich, 2002). The Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis estimated that in 1993/94, 47% of Botswana citizens lived below the poverty line and it was argued that this figure reflected substantial decline in poverty since 1985/86 (BIDPA, 1997.…”

In-service Learning in a Pre-service Teacher Training: The Dilemma of an Adult Learner in Botswana

“…This suggests that male and female learners experience learning autonomy differently. In the context of Botswana research has shown that 47% of households are female headed (Akinsola & Popovich, 2002)., These results are therefore not surprising because even though these women have enrolled for full-time studies, they still have family commitments which they often have to balance with university course commitments. This finding is in line with women elsewhere as revealed by Johnson, Schwartz, and Bower (2010) which shows that many women who enrolled to further their education were not able to complete their programmes since they could not cope with double or triple burdens of family, job, and school.…”