Survival strategies after job losses in female-headed households during COVID-19

Abstract

This study provides an analysis of the effect of COVID-19 on female-headed households, who lost their jobs during the pandemic and how have they stayed afloat. The effects of COVID-19 did not fall equally on both men and women, and some researchers suggest that it is because jobs that were affected were occupied by mostly women (Casale & Shepherd, 2021). The study conducted a qualitative interview with 15 participants to gain an understanding of the survival strategies employed by female- headed households after job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic and how these households stayed afloat. Findings from the study indicated that after job loss during the pandemic female- headed houses faced everyday struggles for survival. Different strategies for survival have been developed by these households consisting of starting food gardens and using a discretionary method for reducing expenses to feed their families. These households relied on social grants, informal jobs, and financial assistance as a source of household income during the pandemic. This study revealed that to survive during the pandemic without an income and providing for the needs of the family, female-headed households used a variety of strategies. Therefore, this study provides insight and understanding into the survival strategies employed by these households during the time of COVID-19.