The role of culture in feminization of poverty in Nyanza-Lac Commune, Burundi

Abstract

This study investigated the role of culture in feminization of poverty in Nyanza-Lac Commune, Burundi. It focused on the extent of feminization of poverty in Nyanza-Lac Commune; the influence of Burundian culture on feminization of poverty; and the policy approaches by the Burundian Government to streamline feminization of poverty gap. The study employed a survey research design. It adopted both quantitative and qualitative approaches of data collection were used. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were employed to select the respondents for this study. The study used a sample of 400 respondents, selected using Slovin’s (1967) formula for determining sample size. Questionnaires, interviews and observations, were the major tools for primary data collection. Primary data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, such as frequency tables and percentages.

For the first of objective, the study revealed that there were fewer educated women than men in Nyanza-Lac represented 78.9%; it also revealed that 77.2% of the respondents stated that women are marginalized in terms of land ownership. The study further revealed that 84.3% of the respondents agreed that it is difficult for women to lift themselves out of poverty. And 79.5% of respondents stated that women are faced with violation of freedom and rights to make decisions in families. For the second objective, the study revealed that 41.2% of respondents declared that women are denied inheritance to family land, 49.6% of respondents stated that women are denied the opportunity to participate in economic activities. It was also revealed that families do not provide equal education opportunity for children represented by 92%. And 66.5% of respondents agreed that women are denied the right to make divorce.

For the third objective, the study revealed that 24.6% of the respondents stated that women can use land after the death of their husbands, 16.0% of the respondents affirmed that the government has made education compulsory for both boys and girls at primary level and 13.6% of the stated that the government as put policy on equal salary payments to level income inequality in Burundi The study recommends that; a comprehensive approach to poverty eradication among women should be considered in the areas of employment, education, health and nutrition. Introduction of a minimum wage for employment could help in addressing the poverty gap among women in Nyanza-Lac. Government should make analysis of the impact of current macroeconomic investments and taxation policies on women and form policies that minimize the negative impact of economic transformations on women. There is need to assist single homeless mothers and female headed families by integrating them into society and provide them with employment opportunities in terms of; skills training, counseling, credit accessibility and financial literacy sensitizations.