Women-headed Households Research Articles

Climate change perception and adaptation among farmers in the mountains of Western Karakoram, Pakistan

ABSTRACT This paper examines climate change perception and adaptation among high-mountain farmers in Western Karakorum Pakistan. Employing a mixed-method approach, this study found that farmers in the study area have observed significant variations in the climatic conditions. Results further indicate that to cope with the climatic variations, farmers are employing diverse adaptation strategies, i.e. crop diversification, production of horticultural products, and change of planting dates. Moreover, the results show that gender, education, and occupation have significant associations with the perception of climate change. Likewise, the multivariate results show that gender and education significantly influence the capacity for climate change adaptation. Men household heads are 2.71 times more likely to implement adaptation strategies than women household heads, and respondents with formal education are 2.93 times more likely to adopt such strategies than those who are illiterate. The study highlights the need for context-specific strategies to enhance the resilience of high-mountain farmers in the face of climate change.

Regulation and Reality: A Legal Analysis of the Phenomenon of Women Headed Households in the Cirebon Industrial Sector

Regulation and Reality: A Legal Analysis of the Phenomenon of Women Headed Households in the Cirebon Industrial Sector

Assessment of the Vulnerability of Households Led by Men and Women to the Impacts of Climate-Related Natural Disasters in the Coastal Areas of Myanmar and Vietnam

Farm households along the coastlines of Myanmar and Vietnam are becoming increasingly vulnerable to flooding, saltwater intrusion, and rising sea levels. There is little information available on the relative vulnerability of men- and women-headed households, and the governments of Myanmar and Vietnam have not identified or implemented any adaptive measures aimed specifically at vulnerable peoples. This study aims to fill these gaps and assess the relative climate change vulnerability of men- and women-headed farm households. This study considers 599 farm households from two regions of Myanmar and 300 households from Thua Thien Hue province of Vietnam for the period 2021–2022. We offer a livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) analysis of men- and women-headed farm households using 46 indicators arranged into seven major components. The aggregate LVI scores indicate that farm households in Myanmar are more vulnerable (scores of 0.459 for men and 0.476 for women) to climate-related natural disasters than farm households in Vietnam (scores of 0.288 for men and 0.292 for women), regardless of the gender of the head of household. Total vulnerability indexing scores indicate that women-headed households are more vulnerable than men-headed households in both countries. Poor adaptive capacity and highly sensitive LVI dimensional scores explain the greater vulnerability of women-headed farm households. The findings also highlight the importance of the adaptive capacity components reflected in the LVI analysis in reducing farm households’ vulnerability.

What Drives Clean Cooking Solutions in Africa? An Empirical Study in Kenya and Nigeria

Improved cookstoves and clean cooking solutions have been garnering increasing attention in Africa owing to their carbon credits. The energy ladder theory indicates that the utilisation rate of clean cooking solutions increases when the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita increases. This study analyses other factors that may influence the utilisation rate of clean cooking solutions, such as population, women household heads, electricity utilisation, and improved water. The results show that GDP per capita correlated more highly with clean cooking solutions than with other factors. This study also determined that higher electricity access rates did not lead to high utilisation of electric cookstoves in Africa, likely due to the greater influence of traditional cooking methodologies and government policies. Through interviews, the study found that certain policies influence Kenya's high adaptability and Nigeria's low adaptability to clean cooking solutions.

Dynamic livelihoods, gender and poverty in marine protected areas: Case study from Zanzibar, Tanzania

Livelihood initiatives are common within marine protected areas (MPAs) aiming for poverty alleviation or higher income opportunities. However, results can be mixed in reality, as well as change over time. Furthermore, who benefits is a key consideration, as results can vary based on inequalities, including gender. Here, the monetary outcomes of different livelihood strategies were investigated across three MPA regions in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Using a quantitative approach, the results show that livelihoods have shifted in a six-year period, with livelihood strategies differing in poverty incidence and income. Livelihood initiatives, namely seaweed farming and tourism, did not provide significantly higher monetary returns compared to long-standing livelihoods, such as fisheries. Seaweed farming showed income stability but a high poverty incidence predominantly within women-headed households. During the study period, men primarily remained in fisheries, whilst women shifted to small-scale businesses and fisheries, largely exiting seaweed farming. This underscores a need for adaptive, gender sensitive management within fast changing coastal contexts.

Stage-based Non-price Determinants of Fuel Choice and Its Consumption Decision of Households in Rural India

This article investigates non-price determinants of fuel choice and consumption decision of households in rural India. Fuel consumption varies at household levels from traditional fuels like firewood and chips to modern fuels such as LPG. Fuel consumption is based on two-stage decisions: (a) whether households participate or not; and (b) how much they consume if they participate. Significant factors might be different in the first stage and the second stage due to certain socio-economic or non-price factors. Applying Cragg’s double hurdle model on NSSO data, this article finds determinants of fuel choice and its consumption at the household level in rural India. Empirical findings indicate that income significantly determines quantity consumption, not choice decision. The role of assets in determining fuel choice and quantity decision is also considered through a comparative study including and excluding landholding, a major asset in rural India. Bottom and top quintile results suggest that advancement of the economic position of the households changes their attitude towards dirty fuel selection and consumption. Firewood fuel consumption decreases with the rising education level of the household head, especially women-headed households. Increased awareness through education and removing social barriers might help to reduce dirty fuel consumption, and India might move towards Sustainable Development Goal. JEL Codes: C20, C13, C34, O13, Q23, Q40, Q56

High prevalence of zero-dose children in underserved and special setting populations in Ethiopia using a generalize estimating equation and concentration index analysis

BackgroundGlobally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2023 report, more than 14.3 million children in low- and middle-income countries, primarily in Africa and South-East Asia, are not receiving any vaccinations. Ethiopia is one of the top ten countries contributing to the global number of zero-dose children.ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence of zero-dose children and associated factors in underserved populations of Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional vaccine coverage survey was conducted in June 2022. The study participants were mothers of children aged 12–35 months. Data were collected using the CommCare application system and later analysed using Stata version 17. Vaccination coverage was estimated using a weighted analysis approach. A generalized estimating equation model was fitted to determine the predictors of zero-dose children. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and a p-value of 0.05 or less was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe overall prevalence of zero-dose children in the study settings was 33.7% (95% CI: 34.9%, 75.7%). Developing and pastoralist regions, internally displaced peoples, newly formed regions, and conflict-affected areas had the highest prevalence of zero-dose children. Wealth index (poorest [AOR = 2.78; 95% CI: 1.70, 4.53], poorer [AOR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.02, 3.77]), single marital status [AOR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.7, 3.3], and maternal age (15–24 years) [AOR = 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1, 1.3] were identified as key determinant factors of zero-dose children in the study settings. Additional factors included fewer than four Antenatal care visits (ANC) [AOR = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.2, 1.4], not receiving Postnatal Care (PNC) services [AOR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.5, 3.0], unavailability of health facilities within the village [AOR = 3.7; 95% CI: 2.6, 5.4], women-headed household [AOR = 1.3; 95% CI:1.02, 1.7], low gender empowerment [AOR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.3, 2.1], and medium gender empowerment [AOR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.2, 2.5].ConclusionIn the study settings, the prevalence of zero-dose children is very high. Poor economic status, disempowerment of women, being unmarried, young maternal age, and underutilizing antenatal or post-natal services are the important predictors. Therefore, it is recommended to target tailored integrated and context-specific service delivery approach. Moreover, extend immunization sessions opening hours during the evening/weekend in the city administrations to meet parents’ needs.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Existential Therapy on Symptoms of Demoralization and Life Attitudes in Women Heads of Households in Welfare

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Existential Therapy on Symptoms of Demoralization and Life Attitudes in Women Heads of Households in Welfare

Farm forests, seasonal hunger, and biomass poverty: Evidence of induced intensification from panel data in the Ethiopian Highlands

Seasonal hunger is the most common food insecurity experience for millions of small dryland farmers. This study tests the relationships between food insecurity, farm forests, and biomass poverty using a longitudinal dataset from the Amhara region of Ethiopia. These data form part of the Ethiopia Socioeconomic Survey, which collected panel data over three survey rounds from 530 households between 2011 and 2016. This dataset represents a collection of unique socioeconomic, wellbeing, and micro-land use measures, including farm forests. Hierarchical mixed effect regression models assessed the relationship between food insecurity and farm forests as well as the conditional effects of biomass poverty among the poorest farmers and women-headed households. Over a six-year study period, farmers reported increased stress from smaller land holdings, higher prices, and climate-related shocks. A clear trend towards spontaneous dispersed afforestation is observed by both researchers and satellite remote sensing. Model results indicate, dedicating approximately 10% of farm area to forest reduces months of food insecurity by half. The greatest reductions in food insecurity from farm forests are reported by ultra-poor and crop residue-burning households, suggesting that biomass poverty may be a major constraint to resilient food security on these farms. This research provides novel quantitative evidence of induced intensification and food security impacts of farm management preserving and building stores of biomass value as green assets. The results reported here have important implications for nature-based solutions as a major strategy to achieve sustainable development in some contexts.

Feminization of hunger in climate change: linking rural women’s health and wellbeing in India

ABSTRACT The links between climate change, food security and women’s wellbeing remain an under-investigated area. This paper contributes to this area through a thorough examination of how women experience food insecurity in farming households in rural India. The households are located in four agro-climatic regions in India. These regions experience varied climatic pressures, and this diversity allows us to explore a wider variety of women’s experiences in their attempts to maintain household food security as the climate changes. The study finds that women, even in comparatively more food-secure households, suffer from food insecurity. One of the reasons for this is that women’s food habits and mealtimes have altered in recent years due to the increase in their work pressures. The worst effects are to be found in drought-prone areas, and there are greater vulnerabilities among women-headed households, indicating that the impacts of climate change are exacerbated by cultural norms that further hinder the role of women in farm activities.

Transformasi Sosial Perempuan Kepala Keluarga melalui Program PEKKA

Purpose: The Women-Headed Household Empowerment Programme (PEKKA) aims to improve the welfare and economic independence of women headed households through improved skills and market access. Methodology: This study was conducted using a participatory action research approach in a community of women headed family. The methods used included practical training in product packaging and digital marketing strategies, particularly the use of social media. The study also adopted surveys and interviews to collect data. Results/Findings: Results showed significant improvements in the ability of female-headed households to produce and market products, leading to increased income. Social impacts noted included a reduction in school dropout rates and unemployment among the families involved. Limitations: The study was limited to a specific region, so the results may not be directly applicable to different contexts without customisation. Contribution: The findings provide important insights for policymakers and community development practitioners in designing economic empowerment programmes focused on female-headed households, with potential application in other regions.

Livelihood Grants and the Case of Ultra-Poor Women Households in Bihar, India

This article presents a critical commentary on the implementation of a graduation approach-based poverty alleviation scheme for transforming the lives of poor, marginalised communities (i.e., erstwhile toddy tappers and women-headed households). It draws from a qualitative study on the working of the Government of Bihar’s Satat Jeevikoparjan Yojana or the SJY scheme in the Madhubani district of Bihar, one of India’s poorest states. It primarily argues that there is a scope of improvement on four key fronts, namely (a) asymmetry between beneficiaries’ capabilities and livelihood opportunities provided (b) streamlining the different stages of ultra-poor graduation, (c) efficient cross-checking of developments on the field by project staff and (d) proper training of these beneficiaries to account for the unintended bureaucratic slippages by the beneficiaries. Thus in so doing, it avers, that given the socio-cultural and institutional limitations within which this project works, sealing these leaks could substantially improve the efficacy of this scheme.

Revisiting food insecurity gender disparity.

Previous research has shown that woman-headed households, more than man-headed ones, experience food insecurity. The purpose of this article is to contribute on the determinants that are linked to this gender disparity. Using a nationally representative dataset from Chile, we found that food security household head gender disparity is associated with marital status (having or not a partner) and household composition (having children or seniors). In contrast, gender disparity is not strongly associated with household income and household head educational differences. In this way, we expect to bring evidence to inform new alternatives that help mitigate food security gender disparity.

Effectiveness Program for Women Head of Family (PEKKA) In Sukabumi City

One effort to empower a woman with a special to woman head family is the PEKKA program. The PEKKA program began with many activity themes, including microfinance institutions, micro, small businesses, and strengthening the law for justice, lifelong education, the right to strengthen a political position, and the right to public health. In implementing family development policies by implementing efforts to eradicate poverty, especially for women heads of families, empowerment of women is carried out, one of which is the holding of a program for women heads of families or commonly called PEKKA. The purpose of this study was to determine how far the effectiveness of the Women Heads of Family Program in Sukabumi City has been. There are 4 dimensions in the theory used, namely the accuracy of program targets, program socialization, achievement of program goals, and program monitoring. the method used in this study is a qualitative method using a descriptive approach. With interview data collection techniques, observation and documentation. The results showed that the effectiveness of the women-headed household empowerment program was not yet effective because it had not yet maximally achieved the success objectives of the female-headed household empowerment program (PEKKA), it was still not optimal in achieving program targets, and the socialization carried out to the wider community was not evenly distributed. Lack of improvement in the behavior of both knowledge and ability in-group members.

Eliciting the gender income influences on household’s food security in west africa

Women economic potential can be used to reduce household’s food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa. This study analyzed the influence of gender on household’s food security through the household’s income in North-Benin. We selected 300 households using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a questionnaire during direct interviews. Data included the households’ socioeconomic characteristics, their experiences-based Food Insecurity Scale, women and men income level. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and generalized structural equation modeling. The findings show that women-headed households (WHH) were less exposed to food insecurity than men-headed households (MHH). Moreover, the increasing of women income level reduced the exposure of households to food insecurity, because the increase in the income level of women stimulated the men income level. Women income also contributed more to household food expenses than men income. However, the increasing of men income level exposed the households to food insecurity. These results highlight the importance of women's empowerment in addressing household food insecurity in African’s developing countries. The findings also help policy makers to improve their knowledge for better decision making on household food security.

Perceptions of food insecurity and access to programs among elderly females living in Colombo, Brazil: Qualitative investigation

Vulnerable women, especially those who are responsible for their households, often face difficulties in reaching food security in developing countries when compared to men, especially in Africa, Latin America and Caribbean countries. Data from Brazil between 2017 and 2018 reveals the lack of equity between men and women concerning food insecurity, with a higher percentage among women-headed households in contrast to male-headed households. To mitigate this situation, Brazil has developed many food security programs focused on vulnerable groups. In this paper, we report the results of research conducted with women who reside in a low-income, urban community in Colombo, southern Brazil. The study aimed at highlighting the women’s perceptions of the main factors leading to food insecurity, as well as the main barriers and facilitators in accessing food security programs in their community. Methodology involved a mixed-method triangulation approach. 30 women were interviewed through an instrument protocol with opened and closed-ended questions about their health profile, food practices, food insecurity perceptions and participation on food security programs. Results revealed that low income, associated with domestic violence, work overload, less years of study were perceived as barriers to achieve appropriate income and food security. Facilitators to this group’s participation in food security programs were associated with family support, living with relatives, culinary skills and being enrolled with health and social care. As barriers, the study found that living alone, being an older woman with disabilities or younger and low-educated WHH without family financial support, with insufficient comprehension about food security programs dynamics, not pursuing adequate home space to store recyclables were factors that prevented this group´s. It can be concluded that these programs increased the quality and variety of food practices and worked as a mitigating factor for inequalities in food and health.

Fertilizer use gaps of women-headed households under diverse rice-based cropping patterns: Survey-based evidence from the Eastern Gangetic Plain, South Asia

Women-headed households (WHHs) have limited access to agricultural inputs and extension services relative to male-headed households (MHHs) which may lead to yield gaps, poorer livelihoods and greater food insecurity. Since lower fertilizer use by WHHs will restrict crop yield, we examined how limited access to fertilizer inputs and extension services was reflected in nutrient use gaps relative to Government recommendations. A total of 80 WHHs were randomly selected for interview from four Agro-ecological Zones (AEZs) covering five representative districts of Bangladesh to assess, for the first time, nutrient use gaps of WHHs under five rice-based cropping patterns. Data collected from 576 MHHs (reported elsewhere) was also utilized to examine nutrient use gaps, crop yields and farm income between MHHs and WHHs. The nutrient use rates were compared with the government Fertilizer Recommendation Guides (FRG): FRG-2012 and FRG-2018. The WHHs underuse N, P, K, S and Zn under fully rice-based cropping patterns, while MHHs overuse those nutrients, but WHH tend to overuse N, P, and K for patterns with potato and watermelon crops. WHHs seem to prioritize high-value crops for fertilizer use, but even yield was 14%, 11%, 17% and 15% lower for irrigated rice, maize, potato and watermelon, respectively compared to smallholder MHHs under diverse rice-based cropping patterns. Overall, WHHs had 10% and 14% lower farm incomes than MHHs under fully rice-based and high-value cropping patterns, respectively. Financial losses for both WHHs and the government due to overuse of NPK on high-value potato crops were estimated at around 63 and 115 USD ha−1, respectively. However, the socio-demographic information suggested that effective extension services targeted to WHH, easing of social restrictions on their mobility, access of WHHs to fertilizers at Govt. fixed price and improved financial capability through better credit access could bring WHHs towards balanced fertilizer use practices in the EGP.

Integrating Socioeconomic Biophysical and Institutional Factors for Evaluating Small-Scale Irrigation Schemes in Northern Ethiopia

This paper characterizes and compares three types of small-scale irrigation scheme practices in Northern Ethiopia. A multidisciplinary survey approach, collecting information on socioeconomic, biophysical, and institutional aspects of irrigation by the smallholder farmers, was used to investigate and compare aspects of land, water use, and crop productivity, including farmer income and livelihood sustainability. The study was conducted in the Zamra catchment, a sub-basin of the large Tekeze river basin and Nile basin tributary. Three common small-scale irrigation scheme types, i.e., traditional diversion, modern diversion, and dam (reservoir) based irrigation, were compared using four pilot survey areas. From the total of 618 farmer households in the study areas, 242 farmers were selected using stratified random sampling and participated in the survey and research. More than 100 input data were collected from the farmers related to the biophysical, socioeconomic, and institutional factors affecting their work practice and livelihood. Focus group discussions were conducted with elders, the water users association committee, and women-headed households. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis were used for quantitative analysis. The result indicates a significant difference between the three irrigation schemes. One important conclusion of this study was that the explanatory value of a single factor (e.g., biophysical), as commonly done in irrigation research and assessment, was seldom sufficient to explain water use, crop yield, and farmer income. Institutional and/or socioeconomic drivers also played an important role in the entire farming practice, income generation, and livelihood of the farmers. This study highlighted the value-added of the multidisciplinary approach (socioeconomic, biophysical, and institutional) for the evaluation of small-scale irrigation practices and livelihood analysis of agricultural smallholders in climate-affected regions, such as the Northern Ethiopian highlands.

Reflections and New Perspectives on Public Social Protection and Household Resilience to Food Insecurity among Elderly Women-Headed Households in Rural Zimbabwe

Reflections and New Perspectives on Public Social Protection and Household Resilience to Food Insecurity among Elderly Women-Headed Households in Rural Zimbabwe

Women-Headed Households: Diversity and Dynamics in Post-Conflict Settings in South Asia

Women-headed households have been reported to be emerging more than ever before in both developing and developed countries due to many reasons, from different factors affecting households in a country to regional and global determinants. This paper unpacks the diversity and dynamics of women-headed households in post-conflict contexts in South Asian countries, with a focus on Sri Lanka and Nepal using a feminist approach. Women-headed households have been reported to face higher levels of poverty than male-headed households in South Asia. There are compelling reasons to anticipate that a group of people who already experience social inequality because of their gender might also experience economic hardship. This paper discusses the challenges women face when heading households, their vulnerabilities, as well as their methods of overcoming the challenges as they take up household responsibilities in the absence of men. This paper also gives accounts of women heading households from their perspectives on how they manage the day-to-day running of the household and the challenges they face in a post-conflict setting. It concludes that the emergence of women-headed households are not only the result of conflict and that they are not a temporary aberration. The paper highlights the need to understand women-headed households in their unique settings, considering many factors that could influence their socioeconomic behaviour. Many of the household surveys fall short of analyzing the complexities associated with women-headed households and fail to identify uniqueness. Therefore, this paper argues the need for qualitative ethnographic data to understand the complexities of women-headed households. Ethnicity and cultural backgrounds need to be considered when analysing data on women-headed households as their dealings and experiences differ in the way these factors play in. This paper also emphasises the need for development practitioners to pay attention to the prevailing understandings of household headship and agency when devising policies to assist women-headed households.