The use and awareness of women's groups as sources of information in three small villages in Botswana

Abstract

A qualitative study was designed to investigate the use of women's groups as sources of family information for women residing in three rural villages in Botswana. The objectives of the study were to investigate situations that lead to information seeking, awareness of women's groups, the use of women's groups as sources of family information and the sources of information on women's groups. The study also captured the reasons for use and non-use of such organizations. A snow ball effect sampling procedure was used in selecting the participants of the study. The instruments of the study were focus groups and interview schedule. Descriptive statistics was used generated using SPSS for close ended questions. Responses from open-ended questions were analysed by grouping the data into themes. The results show that the respondents were aware of the existence of the various women groups both locally and nationally. However, they were not aware of the types of information and help that one could get from such organizations. Women were more familiar with the activities of the community-based women's groups as compared to the national women groups.