Abstract
Women are central to development and their voices have value. More research is needed that explores the livelihood journeys of rural women in developing country contexts. This study addresses this need by exploring the experiences and pathways of women in rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal as they seek to secure their livelihoods. This study utilised a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews and an art-based exercise. It was conducted with eight women participants. The Sustainable Livelihoods Approach guided the analysis. The findings indicate that the women follow varied pathways including formal, informal, and unpaid work to secure their livelihoods. The study participants employed a variety of strategies to bring in an income; from beading to running a spaza shop, hiring out traditional attire, and baking. A regular and stable income source for their households was government grant income. They also participated in stokvels hosted by community members and savings schemes conducted by financial institutions and NGOs. The women also have back-up strategies - such as collecting and selling firewood and selling sweets- to support them if one of their income streams is impacted. Despite employing all these strategies, the women are still vulnerable to shocks, setbacks, and changes in the economic climate. These women mainly participate in the informal economy, which brings with it uncertainty. This uncertainty makes their pathways precarious and vulnerable to economic shocks. An example can be made of the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased their vulnerability and food insecurity. The women experience the impacts of being based in rural and under-resourced areas and they also face gender bias. These disadvantaged them regarding what choices were available for their own education, their career and income opportunities, and what decisions they could make within the home. Life events such as domestic abuse, violence, death in the family, and pregnancy negatively impacted their livelihood choices and opportunities. As the women seek to secure their livelihoods, they draw from their financial, human, public and social assets to support their livelihoods. This research acknowledges and recognises the assets and strengths these women utilise to get through each day within their complex and challenging contexts. These assets can be further strengthened if non-profit organisations and the government initiate and implement support and capacity-building programmes for rural women who are mainly engaged in the informal economy.
Key words:
Women, informal economy, vulnerability, sustainable livelihoods, assets.