Income-generating Activities and Sources of Information of Rural Women in Botswana

Abstract

Reports on a qualitative study designed to investigate the sources of income and the sources of information used by the women residing in three small villages in Botswana. An interview schedule was used as the data collection instrument. The subjects of the study were married women and single women who were heads of households. They were chosen for study because of the diverse roles they play in the family. The main sources of income for the women were home-based businesses, monetary gifts and old age pensions. The main sources of information related to their income-generating activities were agricultural demonstrators, friends, relatives, neighbors and women’s organizations. The sources of information were limited largely due the low literacy rates among adult females. Women lacked basic training in how to manage their businesses and skills.