INSECURITY AND WOMEN’S COPING STRATEGIES IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN ZAMFARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examines insecurity and women’s coping strategies in selected communities in Zamfara State, Nigeria. The study is anchored on coping strategy theory developed by Lazarus and Folkman (1984), which explains how individuals and households develop adaptive mechanisms to survive stressful and adverse conditions. A quantitative research design was adopted, and data were collected through questionnaire administered to 504 women selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, using frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed that women employ several coping strategies, including petty trading, participation in cooperative societies, agricultural activities, casual labour, borrowing from relatives and friends, and reduction in household expenditure. The study further found that insecurity has significantly reduced women's income-generating opportunities and increased household vulnerability. Despite these challenges, women continue to demonstrate resilience through various survival mechanisms. The study recommends the implementation of gender-sensitive poverty alleviation programmes, improved security measures, and enhanced access to financial and entrepreneurial support for women in conflict-affected communities.