Original Research
An investigation into the level of empowerment of rural women in the Zululand district of KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa
Submitted: 28 September 2010 | Published: 28 September 2010
About the author(s)
B.R. Bhengu, School of Nursing, Uiversity of KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaFull Text:
PDF (411KB)Abstract
This project is based on substantial evidence which reveals that rural women are being neglected to the extent that these women have missed out on opportunities for development. The reasons for this disempowerment of women, particularly rural women, are thought to be due to the feminisation of poverty, as well as female submission, educational deprivation, privacy of domestic violence, exploitation, domination by men and cultural oppression (patriarchy).
A qualitative research approach was used. Focus group discussion was utilised as the data collection technique, and this was also applied during the collection of baseline data. An interview guide covered issues of concern in the communities and households, including what the women would, or had done about these, how they engaged in decision-making in their families, how they handled situations when there was a difference of opinion, and their awareness of, and ability to claim their rights, including control of their lives. The data was collected from six clinics, from groups of six to ten women in the predominantly rural Zululand District of KwaZulu-Natal.
The project has revealed improvement in the women’s realisation of their rights, albeit limited, in communication, self-confidence, and reliance, including partnerships between Primary Health Care Nurses and women’s groups. The formation of women’s groups facilitated community development and participation in their own health, socio-economic and emotional development.
The project suggests that such groups be encouraged and allowed to network for support as they understand their own problems better, they merely require facilitation.
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Crossref Citations
1. Economic Self‐Help group Programs for Improving Women's Empowerment: A Systematic Review
Carinne Brody, Thomas de Hoop, Martina Vojtkova, Ruby Warnock, Megan Dunbar, Padmini Murthy, Shari L. Dworkin
Campbell Systematic Reviews vol: 11 issue: 1 first page: 1 year: 2015
doi: 10.4073/csr.2015.19