Problems faced by rural women in Buhera district of Manicaland South Province of Zimbabwe

Abstract

Rural women account for a great proportion of the agricultural labour force, produce the majority of food grown especially in subsistence farming and perform most of the unpaid care work in rural areas. Women in general, are the backbone of both cash crop and subsistence farming, yet their non-market productive and non-productive activities are neither marketable nor recognised as economic outputs. In formal employment, they are concentrated in low pay, low grade sectors with poor promotion prospects. They are denied the tools and means of sustainability and still confront considerable discrimination that constitutes a major obstacle to increased productivity . Through their toil, knowledge and nurturing capacities rural women make tremendous contributions to food and agricultural production .However, studies show persistent gaps that impact and constrain rural women in their roles. The main objective of this study was to make an analysis of the problems faced by rural women in Buhera South district of Manicaland Province in Zimbabwe .The study employed the descriptive survey design and used both quantitative and qualitative methods in the collection of data. Data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and a semi structured interview .The findings from the study showed that poverty resulting from the depletion of natural resources and gender inequality are the underlying causes to the problems that these rural women are facing. These problems form a vicious circle that deprives women of their fundamental rights and freedoms as human beings .The study therefore recommended that the government must always approve rural development that is sustainable Responsible ministries need to increase their political will on issues pertaining to rural women employing techniques of gender responsive budgeting to make sure that the budget has provisions for the unique needs of rural women and all disadvantaged in rural areas. The purpose of this paper was to highlight the problems that Buhera women face then suggest recommendations for the eradication of poverty in rural households as a way of developing a more practical approach to sustainable development for Buhera district of Manicaland province in Zimbabwe.