Crossing the Hurdle: Survival Strategies of Poor Women in Addis Ababa

Using the livelihood approaches framework, the study attempts to see the poverty situation of women in selected areas of Addis Ababa. It also explores the various coping strategies the women utilize, and further compares the situation of women living in male-headed households with women heading households. A questionnaire and focus groups discussion guide have been used for data collection, and both qualitative and quantitative analyses have been carried out. The findings show that women in the study lack the necessary capitals that can enable them to achieve secured livelihood and to cope with poverty well. It further reveals that, compared to women living in male-headed households, female heads of households fare less well. The coping strategies most often used by the women are passive, followed by social network strategies, with female heads of households using the latter more.