A Study On Social And Economic Challenges Of Widowed Mothers The Case Of Beneficiaries From Zer Ethiopia Foundation

Widow refers to a woman whose husband has died and who has not married again; andrnwidowhood is a state or period of being a widow. Especially, in the developing world, widowsrnremain invisible and their exact numbers, ages or emotional and the socio-economic aspectsrnof their lives remain unknown. Thus, this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological researchrnexplored the socio-economic challenges of widowed mothers taking the case of beneficiariesrnfrom a local NGO, named Zer Ethiopia Foundation. Ten beneficiaries‟ and four keyrninformants were selected through purposive sampling technique and involved in an in-depthrninterview. The targets experienced widowhood with their children for a minimum of three andrnmaximum seventeen years; and non-remarried. The study set forth, exacerbating factors;rnemotional implications; coping mechanisms and critical intervention areas. Socio-economicrnchallenges revealed crosscutting effects. Majorly experienced social challenge includes,rnstereotype and derogatory portrayals; discrimination; state of social loneliness and lack ofrnsocial or familial support. Along with this, the main economic challenges fall into, lack ofrnresource; lack of support and opportunities. Throughout the study, Poverty referred sequencernof economic deprivations that accelerate widow‟s challenge, presenting them physical healthrnrisk including GBV and HIV; social isolation as well as emotional challenges. Gender, bothrnas an outcome and a basis for various social arrangements; presented paramountrnvulnerability resulting decline in socio-economic status through economic deprivation,rnemotional abuse and social exclusion. The study also discussed HIV and stereotypes directedrnto widows and their children as exacerbating factors. Taken together, socio-economicrnchallenges prompted emotional challenges such as; feeling of stress or depression;rnhopelessness and loneliness. Yet, almost all emotional challenges were found rooted in postwidowhood economic vulnerability and social loneliness than bereavement from loss ofrnhusbands love. Still, better emotional and financial coping was found reliant onrnfamilial/social support; since less support resulted them higher frustration and maladjustment.rnThus, the study analyzed internal/external, positive/negative copings used; self-exclusion andrnspirituality being widely used to cope social stigma and destitution. Added together, thernfinding depicted how socio-economic challenges of widowhood are predominantly influencedrnby socializations of gender which resulted poverty after loss; hindering emotional wellness,rneconomic empowerment and human rights violation (the right to live free from violence &rndiscrimination). Surly, such problems develop a vicious circle of poverty thus, the studyrnrecommends for policies that address systemic inequalities, as it is an ideal way to holisticallyrnempower women to support themselves in the face of a marital ending

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