Author(s)

Jayjay Karumazondo, Naomi Wekwete, Lazarus Zanamwe

University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Migration is a complex phenomenon in both developing and developed nations due to its variation across regions, countries and over time, including its possible multiple occurrences in the life of a human being. Yet, little is known about the emotional impact of out-migration on the livelihoods of women who are left behind in rural households, Macheke farming community in Mashonaland East Province of Zimbabwe being a case in point. A triangulation of qualitative and quantitative research methods was used. The research methodology followed a multi-stage approach. At first, five focus group discussions were carried out followed by a survey with 596 household-heads to quantify the magnitude of the problem under scrutiny. Five in-depth interviews were also carried out with the aid of an in-depth interview guide. Respondents were de facto household heads and the majority was females. Fifty-three percent of the migrants emigrated for employment reasons and they were a mixture of both skilled and unskilled migrants. The employment rate of household heads was found to be low, with surveyed households reporting various on-farm and off-farm economic activities. Remittances were a major contributor to household income as a supplementary to migrant households’ livelihood strategies. Migrant households had higher ratings on their livelihood indicators compared to non-migrant households. However, women in migrant households had poor social integration compared to their non-migrant counterparts. The study made a recommendation on the need for institutions and policies that encourage saving as well as investment of remittances for sustainable livelihoods.

Out-Migration, Sustainable Livelihoods, Household, Remittances, Non-Migrant Households

Karumazondo, J. , Wekwete, N. and Zanamwe, L. (2022) Social Scars: The Impact of Out-Migration on the Livelihoods of Families Left behind in Macheke Farming Community. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 10, 435-448. doi: 10.4236/jss.2022.106031.