| Abstract: | Many literatures indicate that, women in general and rural women in particular, are at a
disadvantaged position due to a multitude of problems working against them. Furthermore
their case is not made explicit with the age-old assumption that they could benefit through
their male counterparts. However, the reality shows something contrary to the assumption
held by many people. Cognizant of this fact, this particular study has attempted to unravel
the situation of rural women, with special emphasis to the female headed household by
examining how their gender relation is operating in making a living. Pursuit of a livelihood is
dependent on so many factors among which livelihood contexts (trends and shocks), access
to and control over resources, and mediating factors of which gender relations is the chief
concern are some of them. Hence, this study is typically concerned with exploring the effects
of gender relations on making a living in the rural contexts.
In realizing this study both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were
employed, and the Sustainable Livelihood Framework is used as a model. A sample size of
116 heads of households (both female and male) were selected and interviewed from two
communities through systematic sampling technique. Besides, to complement and triangulate
the survey results, other research instruments like focus group discussions, key informant
interviews and personal observations were undertaken.
Hence, results from the study showed that there is still unbalanced power relation between
the two sexes that can be manifested in so many ways, and implying that livelihoods’ of rural
women in general is highly constrained. For instance, in the study it is found that among the
total FHHs interviewed 51.4% of them are illiterate, where as it only 18.5% of the MHHs
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that were placed in this category, and additionally, the percentages of FHHs who attained
higher levels of education dropped significantly. It is also obtained that, among one of the
crucial assets in pursuit of livelihoods, average land holding for FHHs is 1.17 hectare and
that of MHHs was 1.19 hectare. At-test of independent samples on land holding has shown
that there is a significant difference of land holding between the two sexes. Similarly in
terms of oxen ownership the study result depicted that, the mean ownership of oxen is 1.74
for the FHHs and 2.54 for the MHHs, which shows a significant difference of ownership
with a t-test. When the mediating factors comprising institutional arrangements were
observed, here too, the FHHs comprise only 9.3 % where as the MHHs account for 90.7 %.
The main reason for this small number of FHHs benefiting from agricultural Extension
services is attributed to the failure of the concerned bodies to prioritize the FHHs.
In the study it is also drewed that, about 58.6 % of the total respondents have either
experienced or witnessed the exercise of harmful traditional practices (HTPs). Similarly, it is
reported by the respondents that these HTPs exercised in their localities have health risk
(43.8%), demoralizing effect and reduce women to dependence status (30.2%), and
constraining them not to have ownership and inheritance rights (26%). Therefore, it can be
concluded that, FHHs were still at a disadvantage position and hence some practical
solutions which focus mainly on their empowerment need to be implemented. |
