EVALUATION OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF FEMALE HEADED HOUSEHOLD ON FAMILY WELLBEING A CASE STUDY OF TRADITIONAL AUTHORITY (TA) CHIMUTU, LILONGWE DISTRICT

The economic dynamics of female-headed households significantly influence family wellbeing, particularly in Traditional Authority (TA) Chimutu, Lilongwe District, Malawi. Increasingly, households led by women emerge due to factors such as widowhood, divorce, migration, and socio-economic pressures. Despite their growing prevalence, female-headed households often face unique economic challenges that affect household welfare. This study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys of 120 female-headed households with qualitative interviews of key community stakeholders. Data were analyzed to examine household income, employment patterns, access to education and healthcare, food security, and overall living conditions. Results indicate that female-headed households generally experience lower income levels and limited economic opportunities compared to male-headed households. Many women depend on small-scale farming, informal trade, and casual labor to sustain their families. Children in these households are more likely to face educational disruptions and nutritional deficiencies due to financial constraints. Nevertheless, the study highlights the resilience and adaptive strategies of these women, including diversified income-generating activities, reliance on community support networks, and prioritization of children’s needs despite limited resources. The research concludes that female-headed households play a crucial role in family sustenance and community development but remain economically vulnerable. Policy interventions such as economic empowerment programs, access to microfinance, skills development initiatives, and social protection schemes are recommended to enhance family wellbeing. significantly, sustainable, financially, community, socioeconomStrengthening the economic capacity of female-headed households can contribute to broader socio-economic development within TA Chimutu and similar contexts across Malawi often face unique economic challenges that adversely affect household welfare and limit opportunities for sustainable development many female headed households regularly.