The empowerment of rural women in Southern Africa: a case study of Driefontein, Kwazulu‐Natal

[摘要] This study explores the development challenges that rural women are facing in South Africaand the three Southern African Developing Countries (SADC) namely, Namibia, Swazilandand Zimbabwe. The researcher adopted a qualitative approach since this design wasdeemed most appropriate.The objectives of the study are to explore how women assess their situation in South Africaand the three SADC countries with regards to their socio‐economic realities. It is widelyknown that in many households, especially blacks, men leave home for urban areas insearch of employment, leaving behind women to maintain the entire household on theirown. Despite the significant role played by women, they are faced with problems such asthose experienced by rural women in Sub‐Saharan countries.The study also endeavours to explore the most important development challenges of ruralwomen in relation to education, health facilities, food insecurity, poverty, access to waterand sanitation, the participation in the economy and politics, the HIV/AIDS pandemic andthe impacts of climate change.Focus groups discussions and face to face interviews were conducted with information richinformants in the Driefontein rural area of KwaZulu Natal. Findings from the study show thatDriefontein faces challenges which are interrelated. The findings further highlight thatunemployment, failure on the part of local government to provide knowledge, training andmonitoring of co‐operative ventures.

[发布机构] University of the Free State