Female household headship and household survival in Soweto[1]

Abstract

This paper is based on a PhD thesis in progress, entitled ‘Female‐headed households’ economic survival strategies: the case of Soweto, South Africa’ and draws together the implications of the study's findings for future research and policy targeting lower income African women in South Africa. Three themes which emerged as significant in the study are discussed in some detail, namely inter‐household transfers; women's unpaid work; and the significance of the extended family unit, and it is argued that more research is needed in these areas in order to inform social polity and make it more gender aware. The changing political climate in South Africa has created a new political space and increased confidence for women of all population groups to better articulate their needs. Women researchers need to take advantage of this opportunity and assertively feed their findings into policies which will seek to improve not only women's ‘practical’ but also their ‘strategic’ gender needs.

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