Gauteng, one of the nine provinces of South Africa, has a high number of households as compared to the other provinces. Geographically the province has the smallest land size, however it forms the central part of the South African economy. From the total value of credit granted in all provinces, Gauteng has the highest. The province has a high number of registered debt counsellors and an increasing number of consumers who apply for debt counselling because of over-indebtedness. The high number of the registered debt counsellors and consumers seeking debt counselling service gave rise to the purpose of the study. The purpose of the study was to assess the role of debt counselling services provided by debt counsellors to consumers on the one hand, and to also assess whether debt counselling has had a positive effect on the personal financial well-being of consumers who participated in the debt counselling process on the other hand. Furthermore, the study aimed at developing a framework that will empower consumers to be self-sufficient with their finances. From the purpose of the study, two research questions were proposed: (1) How does the debt counselling service provided by debt counsellors assist consumers to manage their finances effectively? (2) Which role does the debt counselling service provided by debt counsellors play in terms of the personal financial well-being of consumers? In an attempt to answer research questions, the theoretical framework of both personal finance and debt counselling were studied. The importance of personal finance, personal financial planning, the evolution of debt counselling, the effectiveness and the ineffectiveness of debt counselling services were identified. A two-phased sequential design (qualitative and quantitative) was used. Fifteen debt counsellors were selected (for the first phase of the study) by making use of a purposeful sampling. These debt counsellors were interviewed and further requested to identify and send questionnaires to consumers whom they have rendered debt counselling service between the years 2007 and 2013. In the second phase of the study, 300 over-indebted consumers were surveyed through a snowball non-probability sampling technique and a response rate of 61% was realised. Data was analysed using ATLAS.ti and the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for the first and the second data collected respectively. Furthermore, the exploratory factor analysis was used to analyse the data, and the factorability of the data was assessed by means of two statistical measures, namely Bartlett’s test of sphericity and Kaizer Meyer-Olkin. It was observed that most debt counsellors lack financial management knowledge and do not have mechanisms to verify their clients’ financial well-being after debt counselling service had been completed. In addition, there was no evidence that consumers who received debt counselling improved in their financial well-being and that consumers also lacked personal financial management skills. The study concluded that, although debt counselling is essential, it does not necessarily assist consumers to effectively manage their finances. The study purports to suggest the following: Debt counsellors should be subjected to formal financial management training prior to their registration, debt counsellors should provide personal financial management education to their clients, and assess the financial management conduct of their clients once debt counselling process is complete, and debt counsellors should establish debt counsellors’ forums. The South African government (in conjunction with the Department of Education and Training) should introduce and implement personal financial management education in both primary and high schools’ curricula. Personal financial management should continue to be offered at adult learning centres as well as other institutions of higher learning. Employers should appoint employee wellness officers who will provide personal finance training to employees. Credit providers should take the responsibility of educating their clients on how to manage their accounts and the importance of paying debts on time. The South African media should also be used by the government and the NCR to educate and inform consumers about finance-related matters. Finally consumers should seek guidance and advice before making financial commitments. The study concluded by suggesting a framework that should help consumers to manage and sustain their financial well-being. / Business Management / DCOM (Business Management)

Balancing the work and family domains is an ongoing concern for men and women in dual-earner relationships. However, most of the research studies that have explored work-family balance, have been conducted within the North American context using highly educated middle-class couples. Furthermore, no known South African studies have explored work-family balance experiences and strategies based on the couple as a unit. The aim of this study is therefore to understand how middle-class South African dual-earner couples experience and pursue work-family balance. A sample comprising ten multi-racial, middle-class, heterosexual dual-earner couples with children, who work in different employment sectors, and reside in Cape Town, South Africa, were selected purposefully through the use of convenience and snow-ball sampling techniques. The interpretive approach located within the qualitative paradigm was employed to understand the subjective experiences of couples through the method of semi-structured conjoint interviews. All conjoint interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed for later analysis. Patterns and themes within the data were identified using thematic analysis and later organised through the use of thematic networks. Two organising themes were uncovered for the global theme "subjective experiences of work-family balance amongst dual-earner couples", namely that work-family balance is a unique experience, and that work-family balance is a dynamic process. Furthermore, the data analysis revealed ten organising themes for the global theme "strategies dual-earner couples use to pursue a work-family balance", namely that striving towards an egalitarian marital relationship helps to promote couples' experience of work-family balance; proactively structuring opportunities for time with family contributes to a balanced work and family life; accessing familial and paid support promotes feelings of being successful in balancing work and family roles; shared planning and organisation facilitates a better balance of work and family roles; living within means relieves couples of unnecessary financial stress; creating opportunities for "alone time" supports couples' work-family balance; work validation and satisfaction encourages greater experiences ofwork-family balance; having the ability to control one's schedule ensures greater freedom to transition between work and family domains; setting boundaries around work and family domains helps couples maintain their balance; and relying on faith to cope with work and family stressors leads to a more balanced life. Each organising theme contained several basic themes which were discussed in relation to previous literature and/or research studies. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

In South Africa, less than 10% of individuals are financially independent after retirement, with an increasing number becoming dependent on social grants from government – hence the importance of analysing the asset composition of high net worth individuals who have achieved financial independence. To achieve the aim of this study, it was first necessary to define net worth and to develop a theoretical framework of the assets and liabilities included in the measurement of an individual’s net worth and how these assets and liabilities should be valued. A definition of high net worth individuals was then formulated. Secondly, the factors influencing the asset composition of high net worth individuals, as well as selected demographic factors that influence net worth, were investigated. Finally, following a quantitative approach, data collected from the liquidation and distribution accounts of deceased individuals were analysed according to the developed framework. The results of this study suggest that are indeed differences in the contribution of the different asset types when measured using the mean, relative contribution and importance of the asset class in comparison with total assets. Further analysis revealed that the richest individuals included in the survey invested more in shares than the other groups for whom immovable property was the primary asset. Based on the analysis of selected demographic factors, the findings indicated that for many of the dependent variables, the asset used most by respondents in that group was not the same asset that made the highest contribution to the net worth of the individuals in the group. / Taxation / M. Com. (Accounting)

CAPES / Este trabalho apresenta uma proposta de sequência didática para o ensino de Educação Financeira, com conteúdos do Ensino Fundamental e do Ensino Médio. A abordagem está alinhada à Estratégia Nacional de Educação Financeira, às tecnologias educacionais e sociais desenvolvidas pela Associação de Educação Financeira do Brasil e às recentes discussões e definições da Base Nacional Comum Curricular, que reconhece definitivamente a Educação Financeira como tema relevante e que deve ser ensinado nas escolas brasileiras. Parte desta sequência didática foi aplicada em um minicurso ministrado pelo autor para estudantes do 3º ano do Ensino Médio, experiência cujos resultados também são relatados. / This work presents a proposal for a didactic sequence for the teaching of Financial Education, with contents of Elementary and Secondary Education. The approach is aligned with the National Financial Education Strategy, the educational and social technologies developed by the Brazilian Financial Education Association and the recent discussions and definitions of the National Curricular Common Base, which definitively recognizes Financial Education as a relevant subject and that must be taught in Brazilian schools. Part of this didactic sequence was applied in a mini-course taught by the author to students of the 3rd year of High School, an experiment whose results are also reported.

CAPES / Este trabalho apresenta uma proposta de sequência didática para o ensino de Educação Financeira, com conteúdos do Ensino Fundamental e do Ensino Médio. A abordagem está alinhada à Estratégia Nacional de Educação Financeira, às tecnologias educacionais e sociais desenvolvidas pela Associação de Educação Financeira do Brasil e às recentes discussões e definições da Base Nacional Comum Curricular, que reconhece definitivamente a Educação Financeira como tema relevante e que deve ser ensinado nas escolas brasileiras. Parte desta sequência didática foi aplicada em um minicurso ministrado pelo autor para estudantes do 3º ano do Ensino Médio, experiência cujos resultados também são relatados. / This work presents a proposal for a didactic sequence for the teaching of Financial Education, with contents of Elementary and Secondary Education. The approach is aligned with the National Financial Education Strategy, the educational and social technologies developed by the Brazilian Financial Education Association and the recent discussions and definitions of the National Curricular Common Base, which definitively recognizes Financial Education as a relevant subject and that must be taught in Brazilian schools. Part of this didactic sequence was applied in a mini-course taught by the author to students of the 3rd year of High School, an experiment whose results are also reported.

Abstracts in English, Afrikaans and Northern Sotho / Many individuals spend their working lives attempting to accrue financial resources to sustain them beyond their retirement. The challenge in professional sport is that a professional athlete’s career is often relatively short with various risks that could end it prematurely. In addition, there are various reasons why professional athletes find it challenging to transition to a vocational career after their sporting careers end. This highlights the importance for professional athletes to attain a high level of financial literacy from a young age. Actor-network theory (ANT) provided a suitable theoretical frame for this study by considering the information that could flow in a network around a professional athlete in pursuit of sound financial decisions. This study first developed a framework for the financial literacy skills required by professional athletes in pursuit of sustainable financial well-being. For this purpose, semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 27 interviewees. ANT was applied to guide the selection of interviewees from a network of influencers that could guide a professional athlete’s financial decisions. The results of these interviews and the open-ended responses provided the basis for the contributed framework. The second part of this multi-layered study was aimed at developing an artefact or research instrument to assess the financial literacy of professional athletes. Design science research provided the overarching research design for this qualitative study with a second round of interviews held with 10 interviewees from the list of interviewees consulted for the first part of the study. The 10 interviewees were purposively selected after taking the primacy of ethical considerations around research into consideration. The developed instrument may be used as it is, or adapted or extended for research beyond the limits of this study. This study could be valuable in assisting professional athletes to avoid financial distress after their sporting careers end. The study will also be of interest to sport governing bodies, the leadership of professional sports clubs, sports agents, legal advisors, accountants, tax experts, financial planners and other financial advisors to improve their understanding of the financial needs and current levels of financial literacy amongst professional athletes. / Tallose werkende mense spaar lewenslank vir hulle aftrede. Die loopbane van professionele sportlui is taamlik kort en boonop kan verskeie risiko’s voortydig 'n einde aan 'n sportloopbaan maak. Om verskeie redes sukkel professionele sportlui buitendien om die beroepswêreld ná ʼn sportloopbaan te betree. Daarom is dit noodsaaklik dat hulle finansieel geletterd raak terwyl hulle nog jonk is. Die speler-netwerkteorie (SNT) bied 'n geskikte teoretiese raamwerk vir hierdie studie aangesien dit toegespits is op die inligting wat deur 'n netwerk om professionele sportlui wat verstandige finansiële besluite nastrewe, vloei. Ten eerste is 'n raamwerk ontwikkel vir die finansiële vaardighede waaroor professionele sportlui vir volhoubare finansiële welstand moet beskik. Hiervoor is halfgestruktureerde onderhoude van aangesig tot aangesig met 27 ondervraagdes gehou. Op grond van SNT is die ondervraagdes gekies uit 'n netwerk van beïnvloeders wat professionele sportlui se finansiële besluite kan bepaal. Die raamwerk het berus op die uitslag van hierdie onderhoude waarin oop vrae gestel is. In die tweede gedeelte van hierdie gelaagde studie is 'n artefak of navorsingsinstrument ontwikkel waarmee die finansiële geletterdheid van professionele sportlui getoets kan word. Die oorkoepelende navorsingsontwerp vir hierdie kwalitatiewe studie is aan wetenskaplike ontwerpnavorsing ontleen. 'n Tweede ronde onderhoude is met 10 van die 27 ondervraagdes in die eerste ronde onderhoude gevoer. Die 10 ondervraagdes is doelbewus ná inagneming van die voorrang van etiese navorsingsoorwegings gekies. Hierdie instrument kan óf onveranderd gebruik word óf aangepas word vir navorsing wat buite die perke van hierdie studie val. Hierdie studie kan voorkom dat professionele sportlui ná 'n sportloopbaan in finansiële nood verkeer. Dit kan ook sportbeheerliggame, die bestuurders van beroepsportklubs, sportagente, regsadviseurs, rekenmeesters, belastingdeskundiges, finansiële beplanners en ander finansiële adviseurs help om die finansiële behoeftes van professionele sportlui en hulle vlak van finansiële geletterdheid beter te begryp. / Batho ba bantši ba tšea maphelo a bona ka moka a ge ba šoma ba leka go hwetša methopo ya ditšhelete ka nepo ya gore e ba tšwetše pele ka bophelo go ya go ile le ka morago ga ge ba rotše modiro. Tlhohlo ka mo papading ye ya sephrofešenale ke gore mošomo wa motšhabeši wa diatleletiki gantši ke o mokopana kudu ebile o na le dikotsi tše mmalwa tšeo di ka o fedišago e sa le ka pela. Godimo ga fao, go na le mabaka a mmalwa gore ke ka lebaka la eng batšhabeši ba diatleletiki ba hwetša go le boima go fetogela go mošomo wa diatla ka morago ga ge mošomo wa bona wa dipapadi o fedile. Se se laetša bohlokwa bja gore batšhabeši ba diatleletiki ba fihlelele maemo a godimo a tsebo ya ditšhelete ba sa le ba bannyane. Teori ya mabapi le tirišano ya bakgathatema (ANT) e fane ka motheo wa maleba wa teori go dinyakišišo tše ge go lebeletšwe tshedimošo yeo e ka welago ka go netweke mabapi le motšhabeši wa diatleletiki ge a nyaka go tšea dipheto tšeo di kwagalago ka ga ditšhelete. Tlhako ye e thomile ke go hlamelwa mabokgoni a tsebo ya ditšhelkete ye e nyakegago go batšhabeši ba diatleletiki ba phrofešenale ge ba nyaka go phela gabotse ditšheleteng go ya go ile. Ka lebaka le, dipoledišano tša motho ka motho tšeo di hlametšwego gore bao ba botšišwago dipotšišo ba fetole ka tokologo di ile tša swarwa le baarabi ba 27. ANT e dirišitšwe go hlahla kgetho ya bao ba botšišwago dipotšišo go netweke ya bahuetši bao ba ka hlahlago diphetho tša ditšhelete tša motšhabeši wa diatleletiki. Dipoelo tša dipoledišano tše le diphetolo tšeo di sa fego moarabi di fane ka motheo wa tlhako ye. Karolo ya bobedi ya dinyakišišo tše tša dikgato tše ntši e be e ikemišeditše go hlama bokgabo goba setlabelo sa dinyakišišo sa go fihlelela tsebo ya ditšhelete ya boradiatleletiki ba phrofešenale. Dinyakišišo tša mahlale tšeo di hlangwago di fane ka tlhamo ya dinyakišišo yeo e akaretšago ya dinyakišišo tše tša boleng gomme karolo ya bobedi ya dipoledišano tšeo di swerwego le bao ba botšišwago dipotšišo ba 10 go tšwa lenaneong la bao ba botšišwago dipotšišo bao ba botšišitšwego dipotšišo ka karolong ya mathomo ya dinyakišišo. Bao ba botšišwago dipotšišo ba 10 ba kgethilwe ka maikemišetšo ka morago ga go hlokomela bohlokwa bja maitshwaro mabapi le dinyakišišo tše di dirwago. Setlabelo seo se hlamilwego se ka šomišwa ka fao se lego ka gona goba sa fetošwa goba sa oketšwa go tla go šomišwa ka dinyakišišong tša ka morago ga tše. Dinyakišišo tše di ka no ba mohola go thuša batšhabeši ba diatleletiki go efoga kgatelelo ya monagano ye e bakwago ke mathata a ditšhelete ka morago ga ge mošomo wa bona wa dipapadi o fedile. Dinyakišišo tše gape di ka ba tša kgahlego go makgotlataolo a dipapadi, go boetapele bja ditlelapo tša dipapadi tša phrofešenale, go badiredi ba tša dipapadi, go baeletši tša molao, go balekodi ba dipuku tša ditšhelete, go ditshebi tša motšhelo, go babeakanyi ba ditšhelete le go baeletši ba bangwe ba ditšhelete ka nepo ya go kaonafatša kwešišo ya bona ya dinyakwa tša ditšhelete le go maemo a bjale a tsebo ya ditšhelete gareng ga bašhabeši ba diatleletiki ba phrofešenale. / Financial accounting / D. Phil. (Accounting Sciences)

Land degradation is a great threat to the Beshlo Catchment in Blue Nile Basisn, not merely as an environmental issue, but also a social and economic problem. In Gedalas Watershed (one of the micro catchments of Beshelo), land degradation, mediated by both biophysical and socio-economic drivers, is among the major environmental sustainability and social-economic development threats in the area. The threat is manifested in depletion of natural vegetations, water, soil and other natural resources; disruption of ecosystem functions, processes, integrity, and services. Given its particular vulnerability, watershed management activities have been in operation since the mid-1970s. Recently, the idea of Sustainable land management through integrated watershed development program has been initiated with the objective of reducing land degradation risks and ensuring food security at both the nationwide and family circle. Despite these investments and efforts, real evidences of success and failures of such efforts were not satisfactory explored. The objectives of this study were, therefore, to analyze the existing status and future prospects of sustainable land management and evaluates its implication on the environmental integrities and the local livelihoods specific to Gedalas watershed. For this effect, the study investigated the dynamics, deriving forces and implications of LULC, soil erosion and soil fertility status of the watershed, current status of watershed management practices, pertinent challenges and opportunities for practicing land management technologies and approaches that might help meet the sustainability requirements of SLM practices. In addition, the study explored factors that determine the willingness of farming households to undertake SLM practice. As the study carried in the coupled human-environment system of rural landscapes, interdisciplinary geographical approaches which integrats social and natural science methodologies were employed to deal with issues of land degradation-and-rehabilitation status comprehensively. The general findings of the study show that though it would be dificult to measure all the composite aspects of land degradation, some of the parameters considered in this study revealed that land degradation is a perpetuating challenge in the watershed. It is evidenced from the overall undesirable land use/cover changes i.e transition of 21.25% of Afro/sub alpine landscapes, 17.59% of the grasslands and 8% of shrub lands to either to cultivated land or settlement areas over the 1973–2017 period, which have unintended negative socio-ecological repercussions on the watershed; high annual mean soil loss value (which range from 37t/ha/year average values to 393 t/ha/yr soil loss rates on water courses) that exceed threshold level and a wide gap between the need for SLM and the actual achievement of SLM practices,including limited adherence to the idea behind contemporary land management policies and implementation principles and approaches. The study further revealed the presence of opportunities as well as a myriad of challenges that need to be tackled in order to achieve sustainable land management goals. The study colcludes that, though, some encouraging progresses have been observed in the SLM project sites; land degradation has remained a problem in the watershed. This calls for strenuous efforts to promote and assist wide scale adoption of SLM practices that address the pervasive land degradation problem and achieve land degradation neutrality as highlighted in sustainable development goals. / Department of Geography / Ph. D. (Geography)

Trends in tuition and financial aid policy have increased the number of students who borrow for higher education and the aggregate debt students acquire. Most research on student borrowing over the years has analyzed the effects of borrowing and the prospects of indebtedness on individual students' choices and persistence. However, dynamics at the institutional level such as the need to ensure a stable flow of resources may accelerate or slow down student borrowing. Drawing on resource dependence theory, this study examined changes in student borrowing at private not for profit four year institutions in the US to identify trends and implications. A fixed effects regression analysis was applied to panel data from the Delta Cost project and the National Association of College and University Business Officers. Analytical focus was on the financial and enrollment characteristics of private not for profit four-year institutions, the relationship between these characteristics and student borrowing, and whether these relationships are stable or change over time. Findings revealed that the financial and enrollment characteristics of private not for profit institutions during the study period were characterized by gradual variation. The results also revealed that most of the financial characteristics were predictive of student borrowing and that these relationships vary with time. Evidence from this study cautions higher education policy makers that high tuition dependence and the attendant student loan burden may disadvantage some students. Policy makers concerned about providing equitable access to higher education to all student subpopulations should try to moderate competition among institutions and tuition rises that intensify student borrowing. Institutional practices such as tuition maximization and selective price discrimination must be moderated so that financial aid, including loans, can realize the objective of encouraging fairness and choice in higher education entry.

MCom (Economics) / Department of Economics / This study assesses the level of financial literacy and its impact on financial decision making exercised by the tertiary students in South Africa, using the University of Venda (Univen) as a case study. The study does this in three steps. First, it provides the financial literacy levels of students at Univen assessed through an evaluation score that the sampled students responded to. Second, it analyses the relationship between the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of students and their financial literacy levels. Third, it assesses the possible effects of financial literacy on financial decision making among students using correlation and regression analysis. The study uses primary data gathered by the author from the University of Venda registered students in the form of questionnaires. A stratified random sampling method was used to identify the students to form the sample of the study, which is 373. Percent slightly above 50 per cent of these students were found to be financially literate and there were more female students who were financially literate compared to male counterparts. Using the odds ratios, the study compared the financial literacy levels of all schools to the school of Management Sciences, respectively. Only students in Environmental Sciences and Law have higher literacy levels, which are statistically significant, compared to the students in the school of Management Sciences. The results also show that the age and the parent’s educational background have a statistically significant relationship with the student being financial literate. Furthermore the results indicate that there is a statistically significant relationship on good financial decision making (that is, budgeting, savings and investments) and being financial literate, compared to being financial illiterate. This result is not true when borrowing is used as a measure of financial decision making. / NRF

The aim of this research was to explore the challenges faced by women providing home-based care to those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. The specific objectives of the study were to explore the gender-related, sociocultural and socioeconomic challenges faced by these women; and to investigate best practices in home- based care. An exploration of the challenges women experience in their communities as they provide care for the HIV and AIDS infected and affected is located within a gender and power framework. Feminist theories are also used to try and explain the reasons behind the differences and inequalities that exist in the community, particularly as regards the women who provide home-based care. A qualitative study, which used both qualitative and participatory methods of data gathering, was undertaken in 2014 in Mzimba, Malawi. Data was collected from 26 women participants by means of Critical Incident Narrative interviews (5), Individual In-Depth Interviews (5), and two Focus Group Discussions (6 and 10 participants respectively). Three Key Informant Interviews were conducted with a Ministry of Local Government official, another with a Nursing sister at the Mzimba District Hospital Tuberculosis Ward, and the Mzimba District Hospital Home-based care Coordinator. Purposive and snowballing sampling techniques were used to recruit the research participants. A topic guide was used in critical incident narrative interviews. An interview schedule consisting open-ended questions and face interviews were used for the Individual In-depth Interviews. A topic guide was used for the Focus Group Discussions. All the data collection instruments were guided by the themes of social, economic, cultural, psychological challenges; food security, and coping mechanisms. An interview schedule consisting of open-ended questions were used for the Key Informant Interviews. A Check List of WHO minimum package for home-based care programmes was used to assess the actual program best practices. The methodology of this study was guided by the WHO framework on home-based care. In this framework, the home-based care programme includes the following elements which make up the minimum package of care: provision of care, continuum of care, education, supplies and equipment, staffing, finance and sustainability, and monitoring and evaluation. Very few studies have been concluded to understand the sociological issues that affect women who provide care to the HIV and AIDS infected and affected in households and communities. It is hoped that this study will in some way address this gap, and that the information and recommendations contained in this thesis will guide policy recommendations in Malawi that will incorporate the lived experiences of those who provide this care. The study revealed that women providing home-based care to the HIV and AIDS infected and affected experience harsh challenges. Women carry the burden of care as traditionally men do not provide care. Women experience extreme deprivation which manifests itself through a number of socio-economic difficulties and these include been shown in their inability to provide for their basic necessities such as food, and other household needs. For most of the women carers, the deprivation is a direct consequence of their low levels of education which rendered them unable to find employment of engage in successful business ownership. The women carers also lack social security in the sense that they do not have access to land for example which could ensure that they have some level of food security. When the main income earner died the women carers and their dependants were left to fend for themselves. Women carers also experienced various psychological problems and these included nightmares, insomnia, depression and these affected their physical health such a few reported lack of appetite for food as a major issue. Women carers and in particular the young women reported that they had to elements which make up the minimum package of care: provision of care, continuum of care, education, supplies and equipment, staffing, finance and sustainability, and monitoring and evaluation. Very few studies have been concluded to understand the sociological issues that affect women who provide care to the HIV and AIDS infected and affected in households and communities. It is hoped that this study will in some way address this gap, and that the information and recommendations contained in this thesis will guide policy recommendations in Malawi that will incorporate the lived experiences of those who provide this care. The study revealed that women providing home-based care to the HIV and AIDS infected and affected experience harsh challenges. Women carry the burden of care as traditionally men do not provide care. Women experience extreme deprivation which manifests itself through a number of socio-economic difficulties and these include been shown in their inability to provide for their basic necessities such as food, and other household needs. For most of the women carers, the deprivation is a direct consequence of their low levels of education which rendered them unable to find employment of engage in successful business ownership. The women carers also lack social security in the sense that they do not have access to land for example which could ensure that they have some level of food security. When the main income earner died the women carers and their dependants were left to fend for themselves. Women carers also experienced various psychological problems and these included nightmares, insomnia, depression and these affected their physical health such a few reported lack of appetite for food as a major issue. Women carers and in particular the young women reported that they had to drop of school to marry when their parents or guardians died. The other dimension to this issue was that the older women carers reported that during their young years, it was common place to find girls who did not attend school or were pressurised to get married because their parents did not believe in educating girls. The background is currently affecting the women carers as they find that they cannot get involved in profitable business or even look for employment. They lack the basic literacy levels that would allow them to be become more productive and ensure financial security. Women carers experienced a number of gender related challenges as they provided care and these included the burden of care being almost solely borne by the women. Women revealed that they have had to use various coping strategies in the face of the overwhelming challenges that they continue to experience. Elderly women have found ways to cope by selling the property such as land and household goods, conducting small scale informal business, and sending the children away to relatives to be fostered. The young women on the other hand have sometimes reverted to some dangerous strategies for coping such as getting a boyfriend to provide for their financial needs, engaged in transactional sex, and some got married very early. The other coping strategies that the young women employed were to conduct small businesses, depended on family and relatives to provide for their various needs. The women volunteers revealed that they used their group as a therapy group, they shared the work, and that they were involved in small scale businesses. The study has also revealed that there is a home-based care programme that is functioning fairly well. However, there are indications that as much as the various players are trying to assist those who are infected and affected by HIV and AIDS, there are severe gaps in the effectiveness of the programme. There is need for a review of the programme so that it answers to the needs of those who are caring for those who are on home-based care i.e. a more rigorous implementation of HBC programme is required. The overall findings of the study indicate that the poverty trap in which the women are caught impacts on every aspect of their existence, with little hope of them ever improving their conditions. There is need for the Malawi government to come up with strategic interventions that would alleviate of women in general but in particular those who are left to provide care at home. Such interventions could include poverty alleviation strategies for women who are providing care to ensure that their situation does not deteriorate once they begin to provide care. Since Malawi is a signatory to the UN Millennium Development Goals, it is important that the plight of women is revisited and find lasting solutions to the challenges that they experience. Women are still lagging behind in education for example. There is need to improve girls and women access to education. The health of women has been affected by HIV and AIDS. The Government of Malawi also needs to review the policies that are in place which address women’s health. Essentially the status of women is need of a major change in order for the country to achieve some level of development which is at par with other countries in the sub-Saharan African region. / Sociology / D. Phil. (Sociology)