Impact and Implications of Low Income Female Headed Households on Children’s Wellbeing: A Case of Dodoma Municipality
- June 7, 2018
- Posted by: RSIS
- Category: Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume II, Issue V, May 2018 | ISSN 2454-6186
Deodata V. Mtenga1, Dr. Rehema G. Kilonzo2
1Assistant Lecturer, Department of Development Studies, School of Social Sciences, College of Humanity and Social Sciences, University of Dodoma (UDOM), P. O Box 259, Dodoma, Tanzania.
2Senior Lecturer Department of Development Studies, School of Social Sciences, College of Humanity and Social Sciences, University of Dodoma (UDOM), P. O Box 259, Dodoma, Tanzania
Abstract: – Household headship is a major determinant for the wellbeing of the family members and particularly children who need more attention and materials for their growth and development. The emergency of female headed households has great negative impact and particularly to low income female headed household. This study therefore attempted to discover the impact and implications of low income female headed household to children wellbeing taking Dodoma Municipality as a case. Three wards were selected for the study namely Kizota, Hazina and Madukani. Generally there is poor support to female headed household hence most of them find themselves in poor condition which make them hard to meet the basic needs for their family members and particularly children. This is to say low income female headed household has perpetual poverty situation as they do not have resources to break the cycle. They have low income, poor housing, less access to land and most of them have poor education which also leadlow employment opportunity. All These together compromises the provision of material wellbeing of their children thus impair their development and future prospect as adult. Children in low income female headed household usually have low education, poor nutrition, share poor housing with their parents and they denied their right to play. Therefore targeting to low income female headed households will be a good way of improving their livelihood with those of their children. Hence, the government and Non-governmental organizations including CBO and FBO should extend hand to include support to low income female headed households. Improvements their income earning opportunities by increasing their chance of accessing credits and business resources will make women improve in their livelihood thus better children wellbeing.
Key words: Female headed households, children wellbeing, low income
