Factors contributing to the emergence of female-headed households in lunga lunga slum, Makadara division, Nairobi city

Abstract

'This study set out to assess and, identify the factors contributing to female-headed households ill Lunga Lunga slum in Makadara Division. It sought to identify the problems and challenges laced by these women in their daily lives. The population sample was selected from female-headed households residing III Lunga l.ungn slum area. The principal informants were female in the study area. A total or IC)lt, informants were interviewed. The data were collected using personal interviews. case histories and locus group discussions. The methods of data analysis were mainly qualitative in nature The findings of the study revealed that the emergence of female headship in the ru ca influenced by various factors such as poverty, rural-urban migration. death and separation.

marital instability and they reported that they faced a lot of hardships as female heads of households such as lack of credit facilities and training opportunities. uncmplovmcnt. insccurit ,

I ollowing these findings it is recommended that women should be givcn rights to land 0\\ nCiship" and access to credit facilities and training opportunities in order to alleviate some of the problems they undergo. Also. to improve their living conditions the informants recommended prox ision of day care facilities Tor those inothers wishing to work or acquire skills. There are some policy implications suggested within the context of the presented study. The study results imply that gender ofthc household heads can be used as a policv

tool to identify vulnerable groups. Since the main problem in targeting is to idcnti fy

vulnerable groups, policy-makepoverty alleviation can single out female-headed households as one ofthc key target groups deserving attention