SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF DIVORCE ON DIVORCED WOMEN: THE CASE OF KACHISI TOWN, WEST SHEWA ZONE, OROMIA NATIONAL REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This study was aimed at assessing socio-economic impacts of divorce on divorced women in the case of Kachisi town, West Shewa Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. To attain the aim, the study was employed cross-sectional descriptive research design that includes combination of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and methods of data analysis. The data were collected from 297 divorced women in the study area through interview schedule. In doing so, about 12 key informants interviewed and 15 focus group discussion selections was made purposively from divorced women, women association members(WAM) and Gindeberet district women and children affairs office (GDWCAO) those were not included in the quantitative source through in-depth interview and focus group discussions (FGD). Then after, quantitatively collected data were analyzed by SPSS version 20 that was presented in detail using frequency and percentage. Qualitative data obtained from key informants’ interview and focus group discussion (FGD) were analyzed through thematic analysis. Based on the analysis and discussions focusing on the social and economical impacts of divorce on divorced women, the findings of the study were carefully summarized and presented. The study indicated that divorce has both positive and negative impacts on the divorced women. As a result of changing the lives of divorced women socially and economically after dissolution of their marriage affected positively or negatively. The study indicated that, the social impacts of divorce on divorced women after their divorce was low participation in social activities and majority of the divorced women does not have a good relationship with their former friends and neighbors. The study further revealed that most of the divorced women were faced economic impacts of divorce on divorced women after their divorce was decrease the employment opportunity outside the home and faced to access the house problem after their divorce. In order to reduce these negative impacts of divorce on divorced women due attentions should be given by government and non government organization, researchers and helping professionals to the issue.