Assessing the Impact of Livelihood Programs on Poverty Levels among Widowed Women "A field study - the villages of widows in Northwestern Syria"

Abstract

This study aims to examine the impact of the livelihood program on the poverty level of widowed women in the villages of northwestern Syria by analyzing the relationship between livelihood opportunities and poverty within one of the most vulnerable groups in society. The research employed the descriptive–analytical method and utilized a questionnaire as the primary tool for data collection from (850) widowed women residing in 23 widow villages across the areas of Atmeh, Qah, Kafr Lusin, Deir Hassan, Al-Kammouneh, and Al-Dana. The questionnaire covered two main variables: the livelihood program as the independent variable, which included employment opportunities, small projects, and financial support, and poverty level as the dependent variable measuring the economic and social conditions of widowed women.

Data were analyzed using SPSS, and the results indicated a significant negative effect of the livelihood program on the poverty level of widowed women, meaning that improvements in livelihood opportunities contribute to reducing poverty. The explained variance reached (10.5%), suggesting that livelihood interventions play a meaningful yet partial role in alleviating poverty among this group.

The study recommends designing sustainable income-generating programs that raise monthly income above the poverty line, in addition to enhancing support for small projects and restructuring loan programs to be more equitable and suitable for the capacities of widowed women.