Lives of Vulnerable Woman Household Heads as Waste Pickers at 'Koshe' Dumpsite in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2021-03
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Addis ababa university
Abstract
Exploring women headed household‟s life experience and challenges as waste pickers at Koshe landfill of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was the focus of this research. A qualitative approach is applied, particularly case study with purposive sampling of female waste pickers with headship roles. Data was collected through in-depth interview of thirteen female waste pickers, two focus group discussions and interview of key informants. Among related research on waste collection, the status of the „Koshe‟ dumpsite, the only open dumpsite of the capital city of Ethiopia, has been highlighted as being the most poorly managed and hazardous for the surrounding settlement and the informal waste pickers working on the site. The discussion on the need to close the site has also been raised over the years following researches on the city‟s poor solid waste management. However, the lives of the many waste pickers particularly the vulnerable groups such as women, children and the elderly who continue to operate at the site given the concerning status of the dumpsite needs further investigation and feasible intervention design. Hence, this study reveals the case of women waste pickers with headship roles to better understand the factors they perceive to be contributors to their vulnerable situation, the specific challenges to identify areas of intervention for development and environment programs as well as their coping mechanisms to strengthen through theoretical approaches. The recommendation of this study focuses on improving the waste picking women headed households‟ livelihoods, health, and social status within the community.
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Lives of Vulnerable Woman Household Heads as Waste Pickers at „Koshe‟ Dumpsite in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia