Submitted to the Faculty of Arts in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in the Department of Social Work at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2002. / This study investigated the strengths and weaknesses of the rural women's agricultural productivity and problems facing the farming women in the Nkonjeni area. It looked at the issues like deprivation of land ownership for the rural women, lack of appropriate education, not having access to working capital and an overload of household chores as the contributory factors to poor agricultural production of women in rural areas. The study considered the possibility of empowering rural women through capacity building as the method of improving their production of agricultural crops. The characteristics that were investigated were the socio-cultural factors, economic, educational and infrustructural factors mat would influence their empowerment process. The study engaged a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Various sources of data like books and journals were used. Also a number of methods of collecting data were utilized to find the information from the selected sample of the farming population. The study was conducted among the farming women of Nkonjeni area in Mahlabathini district. The findings revealed that their illiterate position poses a threat in their empowerment and the overload is really crippling their efforts towards their development. It also revealed that the gender discrimination towards rural women is still a problem though the government has repealed laws that are depriving women of equal opportunities. It was also found that the lawlessness of the community members contributed enormously on their farming problems because unattended livestock that is owned by their neighbours destroys their produce. Recommendations that emanated from the study focussed on the empowerment of women through the change of attitude towards development. The people need to be supported as individuals to give the sense of pride towards the project they are concerned with. Women need to be helped in solving their education problems in their own neighbourhood to avoid exposing them to dangers of travelling long distances at night. Development programmes should focus on taking women on board as active participants in their own development not the silent recipients.

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Thesis (M. Ed. (Community and Continuing Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 2014 / The purpose of this study was to investigate the survival strategies used by unemployed rural women in Calais village. The study was conducted at Calais village in Maruleng Municipality in the Limpopo Province. The aim of the study was to investigate the survival strategies used by unemployed rural women at Calais Village. In order to achieve the aims outline above, I have formulated the following research question:  What are the survival strategies used by unemployed rural women at Calais village? With the study I wanted answers to the above question so that the department of social welfare can help in investigating further how unemployed rural women survive. In order to answer the question above, I decided to conduct a qualitative research by doing fieldwork at Calais village. I will also discuss about how to identify unemployed rural women, causes of unemployment and the challenges women from rural areas are faced with. I will also discuss the history of education in South Africa. In chapter two I outlined the theoretical framework of the study. The following key concepts were defined: unemployment, empowerment, social exclusion, strategy, and social grant. From the relevant literatures, I found out that the issue of survival strategies used by the unemployed rural women need to be taken into consideration. I also defined the following concepts, unemployment, empowerment, social exclusion, strategy, and social grants. The study found that unemployed rural women are surviving from child grants and hand-outs, food security, subsistence farming, EPWP and street vendor. Chapter three has to do with the design of the study. The main focus was to discuss i the fieldwork as a track I used for data collection. The fieldwork track was divided into four phases of data collection. I gave an explanation and discussion of the instruments that were utilised when the data was collected from the different role play players in various phases of data collection. The data was analysed by using qualitative method. I concluded the chapter by discussing the stages of data collection. In chapter four I presented the findings of the study. The strategies that might be useful for unemployed rural women to survive were discussed. I have also outlined in detail the views of the interviewees in relation to the assumptions of this study. I concluded the chapter discussing the findings of the observations based on the study. I also discussed about issues to be considered in ethical considerations. In the final chapter which is chapter five I presented the final conclusion and recommendations of the study. I also discussed about the recommendations for further studies. In the chapter I further integrated the information from the previous chapters in discussing the survival strategies that can be employed by unemployed rural women. I concluded the chapter by discussing the reflections, which are to do with my difficulties and learning experiences when I conducted the research.

Poverty has been an issue in South Africa for quite a long time. For as long as the "poor is with us", this issue will need to be addressed. A whole range of issues such as severe unemployment, illiteracy, drought and other natural disasters fuel poverty, gender inequality, unequal distribution of wealth, etcetera. From the very outset, three stages have emerged in relation to dealing with those affected by poverty. 1. What can we do for the poor? 2. What can we do about the poor? 3. What can we do with the poor? The trend is presently at a stage where something is being done together with the poor communities in order to alleviate their poverty condition. The aim of this study is to look at the present stage in the lives of the poor by way of tackling issues from alongside their own perspective. This is done by examining the survival strategies used by poor rural women in order to provide for their families / households. At the end of the day, the findings of this study will suggest means and ways of helping the poor rural women. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2002.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - James Cook University, 2005. / Typescript (photocopy) Bibliography: leaves 286-302.

Thesis (M.A.)--Carleton University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 136-147). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (M.Ph.)--Georgia State University, 2007. / Title from file title page. Russ Toal, committee chair; Rebecca Cowens-Alvarado, Ike Okosun, committee members. Electronic text (119 p. : col. maps) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed June 4, 2008. Includes bibliographical references (p. 90-96).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Decker School of Nursing, Rural Nursing, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.