Women's Contribution to Household Welfare by off-farm work

Abstract

Majority of rural faml households of Sri Lanka is poor. The salient feature of such farm households is having limited resources; land and labour. It is widely believed that women can make a significant contribution to improve household welfare through some off-farm work. Therefore, the foremost objectives of this study were to identify women's contribution to household welfare through their off-farm work and to recognise determinants of accessibility to off-faml labour market. To meet these objectives, the researcher collected data and relevant information from a sample of households, which was chosen from Angunakolapelessa Divisional Secretariat Division of Hambantoata District, Sri Lanka. An Econometric model applied in analysing data, as the main tool. The major findings of the study are summarised as follows: women are much more concern about their family welfare than men, and therefore, they have immensely motivated to do some off-farm work if it is possible to find off- farm work. Women can make a significant contribution to improve the household welfare level through off-farm work if they are able to find off- farm work. However, the choice of women's off-farm work is strongly determined by their individual health status and household-specific characteristics such as, number of young children they have and age structure of children, health status of husband and local labour market characteristics.