Assessment of Survival Strategies of Female-Headed Farming Households in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

The study investigated the survival strategies of female-headed farming households in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling procedure was employed to select a total of 120 female-headed households. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire/interview schedule. The specific objectives of the study were to: identify socio-cultural practices, ascertain survival strategies, determine the effects of socio-economic characteristics on the survival strategies, and identify constraints to the survival of the female household heads. The result shows that inheritance/forced marriage (91%), male dominance over resources (97%), and inferior social status (95%), among others, were predominant among women heads of households. The respondents survived through self-care (X= 3.90), petty trading (X = 3.53), crop farming (X= 3.91), casual laboring (X = 2.68), and hawking (X = 3.57) among others. A high coefficient of multiple determination R² of 78% shows that the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, such as their age, education, household size, ownership of farmland, and membership in a cooperative society significantly influenced their survival strategies. However, long periods of mourning, ritual practices, and high demand for burial were constraints to the survival of the respondents. It was concluded that the elimination of negative practices against female household heads could enhance their survival. Recommendations such as enhancing the socio-economic status of the respondents through capacity building and specialized training as well as formulating policies for their welfare at local and state level could enhance their survival rate were made among others.