Female Care-Leavers’ Experiences of Aftercare in Ethiopia

Abstract

The phenomenon of care-leavers’ experience of aftercare in Ethiopia has not yet been recognized. A qualitative research design was used to uncover female care-leavers’ experience of aftercare in 2017. Participants in the study were recruited via a snowball sampling technique, and data were collected through in-depth interviews and a review of documents. The generated data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The study found that participants are faced with different adversities, such as job searching, homelessness, the inability to pay housing rent, being betrayed, and not reconnecting with living biological family members. Female care-leavers have expected to receive support from the institution to cope with aftercare challenges. However, their aftercare experience is characterized by negative outcomes, which implies that they need continued aftercare support until they can find their feet. Female care-leavers view aftercare support as strengthening them in their attempt to navigate the adult world on their own. Such support offers them the opportunity to find attractive jobs and so save them from having to emigrate. This article sheds light on the issue of aftercare support for female emerging adults who are transitioning from care to adulthood in Ethiopia.

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