Food insecurity in rural child headed households of Ward 34 Mt. Darwin, Zimbabwe. · Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author

Chiveso, Juliana

Title

Food insecurity in rural child headed households of Ward 34 Mt. Darwin, Zimbabwe.

Abstract

Food insecurity presents a critical threat to the survival and development of child-headed households (CHHs), a vulnerable group becoming more widespread in rural Zimbabwe due to HIV/AIDS, Covid 19, migration, and poverty. This qualitative case study, anchored in interpretivist philosophy, investigates the complex dynamics of food insecurity within rural CHHs in Ward 34 of Mt Darwin District. Employing a multi-method approach, the research explored four key Objectives which are: (1) the drivers of food insecurity, (2) the implications of food insecurity among child headed households, (3) the coping strategies employed, and (4) the potential components of a sustainable food security framework. Data was gathered from 18 purposively sampled participants: 6 key informants (Traditional Leader, Councillor, Social Worker, NGO Representative, Agricultural Extension Officer, Health Care Worker), 8 minors (aged 12-17) acting as primary caregivers in CHHs, and 4 community members (neighbours, relative through purposive sampling technique. Data collection methods included in-depth interview for both children, community members and key informants. Data collection tools include 3 distinct in depth interview guide for primary and secondary participants Thematic analysis revealed interconnected drivers including profound poverty, limited land access, climate vulnerability, orphan hood-related disadvantages, and inadequate institutional support. Minors experience severe implications including chronic hunger, psychological effects, health and nutritional challenges and educational disruption due to hunger. Coping strategies ranged from meal reduction and consumption of wild foods to precarious income generation and reliance on fragile social networks. Triangulating these insights, the study proposes a multi-level framework for sustainable food security, emphasizing community-based support systems, strengthened child protection, improved access to agricultural resources and social safety nets for CHHs, and policy advocacy. The findings underscore the urgent need for context-sensitive, child-centered social work interventions and policies to safeguard the rights of children leading households in resource-constrained rural settings. Recommendations target practitioners, policymakers, NGOs, and communities.

Date

June 2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Food Insecurity

Rural Child Headed Households

Supervisor

Mr. L. Nyamaka