The Economic and Demographic Status of Female-Headed Households in Rural Botswana

Abstract

Analyzes the economic and demographic status of female headed households in Botswana where insufficient economic opportunities force many men to live and work away from home. The analysis is based on the Rural Income Distribution Survey conducted in 1974-75 by the Central Statistical Office of Botswana in which 957 households containing 6475 individuals were interviewed once a month for 23 months. The relevant items surveyed were age and sex of household nembers amount and sources of income identity and value of assets use of time extent of education and sex of perceived head of household. The analysis recognizes 4 types of households: male head with male aged 20-64 present (452); male head with no male 20-64 present (77); female head with male aged 20-64 present (131); and female head with no male aged 20-64 present (277). The primary analysis consists of a comparison of the 1st and 4th of these groups; categories 2 and 3 are intermediate positions and their characteristics are less clear cut. The income distribution in rural Botswana is more unequal than in many other developing countries with female headed households faring especialy poorly. On a per adult equivalent basis the welfare attained by members of female headed households is nearly 25% lower than that attained in male headed households. Such is the case despite the fact that women in Botswana have been shown to compare favorably with men in regard to education willingness to work agricultural know-how and entrepreneurial ability. Reasons for womens lower economic status in this country are discussed and policy suggestions to overcome this discrepancy are made.