The empowerment of rural women in Southern Africa: a case study of Driefontein, Kwazulu‐Natal
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Date
2015
Authors
Catherine, Fiona Clare
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
This study explores the development challenges that rural women are facing in South Africa
and the three Southern African Developing Countries (SADC) namely, Namibia, Swaziland
and Zimbabwe. The researcher adopted a qualitative approach since this design was
deemed most appropriate.
The objectives of the study are to explore how women assess their situation in South Africa
and the three SADC countries with regards to their socio‐economic realities. It is widely
known that in many households, especially blacks, men leave home for urban areas in
search of employment, leaving behind women to maintain the entire household on their
own. Despite the significant role played by women, they are faced with problems such as
those experienced by rural women in Sub‐Saharan countries.
The study also endeavours to explore the most important development challenges of rural
women in relation to education, health facilities, food insecurity, poverty, access to water
and sanitation, the participation in the economy and politics, the HIV/AIDS pandemic and
the impacts of climate change.
Focus groups discussions and face to face interviews were conducted with information rich
informants in the Driefontein rural area of KwaZulu Natal. Findings from the study show that
Driefontein faces challenges which are interrelated. The findings further highlight that
unemployment, failure on the part of local government to provide knowledge, training and
monitoring of co‐operative ventures.
Description
Keywords
Dissertation (MGT (Governance and Political Transformation))--University of the Free State, 2015, Rural women--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal, Women in development--South Africa--KwaZulu Natal