English abstract
The study aims to identify the living conditions of the female-headed households (widows and divorcees) under social security, the role of social safety nets in their lives, and the availability of objective and subjective preconditions that enable them to survive without social security support. It is from this general goal that the sub-goals have branched, the first of which is to identify the demographic and social characteristics of the female-headed households supported by the social security program. The second is to monitor the living conditions of these families (including food, clothing, housing, education, entertainment, health, etc.). The third is to investigate to what extent social safety nets cover the living requirements of these families. The fourth goal is to try to identify the subjective and objective preconditions which may enable these families to get out of the targeting circle of social safety net programs. The study was based on a descriptive approach, where both quantitative and qualitative methods were combined. The study sample was selected from the social security supported female-headed households (widows and divorcees). It included 108 families, and the presence of children was criterion followed when selecting representatives families. As for the tools of the field study, the study used a questionnaire which was administered through face-to-face interviews. The field study's results varied according to the different themes . Concerning the first theme, "the living conditions of social security supported female-headed households"; the study showed that the majority of the sample has a (less than 200 Rial) monthly income from social security and other sources. The study also showed that the monthly income, which they receive, is insufficient to provide appropriate living for them and their children. Regarding the second theme, "The role of social safety nets in covering the needs of the families"; the results showed that nearly two-thirds of the sample does not get sufficient income, although their income includes the social security pension and other services provided by social safety nets. As a result, these women try to cover their shortage in needs through several ways such as asking for help from family relatives, neighbors, charitable foundations, and government and private agencies. They may also run small artisanal activities to raise their monthly income. Moreover, they may need to put aside some of their needs until the availability of money is ensured in addition to other ways of managing their income. As for the third theme, "objective and subjective preconditions to abandon social security"; the majority of respondents indicated that they do not possess the practical and professional experience which would have qualified them to find jobs and uplift themselves from the social security domain. This lack of experience is the result of these women not completing their education. Furthermore, the majority of respondents want to rely on the social security program in the long term. The study concludes by providing some recommendations to in addition to mechanisms for their implementations. These recommendations aim to expand the work of the social security program, and to try to encourage families in the social security nets to depend on
themselves in earning their income without relying on the social safety net programs.
