Women of the southwest region of cameroon speak: poverty reduction strategies and policies

Abstract

Using Meme Division in the Southwest region of Cameroon as a case study, this research seeks to answer two broad questions (a) What factors are responsible for women’s poverty in the region? (b) What sustainable programs can be put in place to curb poverty among Cameroonian women? Using a combination of strategies including focus group interviews, one-on-one interviews, observations, and archival data, themes obtained from interviews were coded and a narrative analysis method was utilized to explain results. While there is heterogeneity of poverty indicators used in the measurement of poverty, those that are evident in this study are, education, living standards, vulnerability, and access to social capital. The paper includes policy initiatives such as engaging women in positions of authority, rescinding laws that stifle women’s progress; providing electricity; wells, water purification systems; constructing good roads; cultivating head start programs, introducing technological gadgets in classrooms as well as modernized equipment in trade and commerce; and a sensible health plan, addressing poor governance, among other recommendations.