Perpetual Hardships: Female Poverty in Rural Malanje, Angola

Abstract

Rural poverty in Angola is severe and gendered. This brief draws on qualitative field research in ten rural communities in the municipality of Kalandula, Malanje province. It shows that female poverty is characterized by limited opportunities for income and subsistence, extensive physical hardship, and entrenched social vulnerability. Single mothers, widows, women of poor health and elders are particularly exposed to extreme poverty.