Livelihood Strategies of Laotian Women with Disabilities Households after Training from the Vocational Training Center in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR

Abstract

    The aim of this qualitative research is to study the livelihood strategies of Laotian Women with Disabilities’s households after training from the vocational training in center Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR. Analytical framework was developed from Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF). Unit of analysis is household level. Data were collected from 16 Laotian Women with Disabilities from household in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR by in-depth interview and non-participatory observation. Key informants were selected by purposive sampling. The qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis with Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF). The quality of data was approved by triangulation method.

     The research results found that household of Laotian Women with Disabilities after  The research results found that household of Laotian Women with Disabilities after training from the Vocational Training Center used the assets as Human capital, Social capital, Physical capital and Financial capital to set up the suitable strategy together in order to achieve all 4 livelihood strategies; (1) Investment strategy: a way of using human capital such as personal skill or knowledge gained from on job training as the main asset to independently make a living for oneself and family. (2) Struggling strategy: a way of using human capital to overcome the physical health limitations and gain some occupational skill or knowledge which could contribute to a daily livelihood. (3) Problem-solving strategy: a way of using social capital such as network with social orgsnization which could provide aid or advice when in a crisis. (4) Sustainable strategy : a way of integrating human capital, social capital, physical capital and financial capital together in order to create livelihood security for Laotian female disable and her household.