Abstract
The African continent contributes an estimated third of the world’s forcibly displaced population (Amodu, Ritcher, & Salami, 2020). The bulk of this quota is comprised of women and children with an estimated 75 per cent (Amodu et. al, 2020). Single motherhood correlates strongly with negative health outcomes, psychological stresses and devastating poverty not only for the lone parent but for the child/children raised in a single-parent family (Ntoimo & Mutanda 2020). Single mothers who are refugees pose unique and distinct challenges (Lebni, Ali, Gharehgani, Soofizad, Khosravi, Ziapour, & Irandoost, 2020). These single mothers are expected to perform a dual role of resettling and integrating into a new country without any economic and social support from family or a partner whilst concurrently taking primary responsibility for ensuring that their children transition successfully into their new environment (Amadala, 2012).
Despite the existence of various generous migration policy frameworks towards displaced populations in sub-Saharan Africa, single mothers who are refugees continue to be vulnerable to socio-economic struggles such as poverty, prostitution and transactional sex in exchange for food security (Carciotto & Ferraro, 2020). The feminisation of poverty and migration are two constructs used to explain the persistent and rampant scourge of poverty and lack that seems prevalent among displaced single mothers (Lenette, Brough, & Cox, 2012).
Thus, the main aim of the study was to explore the economic experiences and coping strategies of displaced single mothers residing at the Malindza refugee reception centre. A qualitative methodology was utilised. Eleven participants were selected for the study through purposive sampling. Data was collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews and analysed through thematic content analysis. Findings from the study revealed that although displaced single mothers who are refugees hold on to the hope that post re-settlement of their lives will change for the better; their lived reality is a far cry from their anticipated outcomes. Based on findings from the study, it can be concluded that post re-settlement single mothers who are refugees face dire challenges in order to fully integrate into their new environment.
Based on the findings, recommendations are made for the improvement of the Eswatini government migration policy to ensure inclusivity and reduce bureaucratic hurdles that act as barriers to participants’ economic integration. In addition, recommendations for community development practitioners to be visible and render participatory-based services are mad.