The Livelihood Strategies of Widows Associated with Famo Music Gang, Conflicts in the Mafeteng District.

Abstract

Livelihoods making in the households of widows in the Mafeteng District is affected by the Famo music gang conflicts that led to the deaths of majority of men who are in their productive years. The killings left women as widows and children as orphans. Widows and their families face different challenges such as the loss of incomes due to the deaths of breadwinners. Most widows face the hardships of making a living. This is because many of them lack economic assets such as land due to discriminatory cultural beliefs and practices. Therefore it is not easy for widows to make a living after the passing away of their husbands. However, some widows established some small scale businesses to make a living while others work as domestic workers. In addition to economic hardships widows face social stigma and exclusion from some community members due to their status and high poverty levels. Another challenge faced by widows is property grabbing by their in-laws in terms of assets such as land, housing and others.