“Sleepless nights are a daily reality for us” how women experiencing homelessness in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia describe street life: a photovoice study
IntroductionHomelessness among women of reproductive age is a global problem. Several unique gender-based issues affect homeless women’s well-being, including reproductive health issues, their homelessness experiences, and a high rate of sexual violence. In this study, we aimed to describe women’s e...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1488770/full |
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| author | Kalkidan Yohannes Kalkidan Yohannes Kalkidan Yohannes Mats Målqvist Hannah Bradby Yemane Berhane Dagmawit Tewahido Dagmawit Tewahido Sibylle Herzig van Wees Sibylle Herzig van Wees |
| author_facet | Kalkidan Yohannes Kalkidan Yohannes Kalkidan Yohannes Mats Målqvist Hannah Bradby Yemane Berhane Dagmawit Tewahido Dagmawit Tewahido Sibylle Herzig van Wees Sibylle Herzig van Wees |
| author_sort | Kalkidan Yohannes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionHomelessness among women of reproductive age is a global problem. Several unique gender-based issues affect homeless women’s well-being, including reproductive health issues, their homelessness experiences, and a high rate of sexual violence. In this study, we aimed to describe women’s experiences of street homelessness in their own terms and their suggestions to address their unmet needs.MethodsThis photovoice study draws on photos, focus group discussions, and semi-structured interviews. We conducted the study in collaboration with women in their reproductive years experiencing homelessness (n = 9). A total of 80 photos were taken, and 40 were chosen to be discussed in interviews and further focus group discussions. The participating women selected photographs, explained their significance, and codified them based on how they related to their lives. Data from these discussions were then analysed using a reflexive thematic approach.ResultsFour themes were developed from the data: (a) deprivation of basic needs; (b) experiencing dependency, shame, and seclusion while dealing with the burden of street life; (c) the vulnerability and neglect of children; and (d) being resilient to harsh conditions. In this study, women’s street life was characterised by numerous unfavourable aspects, including unmet needs, human rights violations, social exclusions, substance use, and child protection issues. Participants provided suggestions for change and confirmed their belief that adequate housing represents one of the most urgent unmet basic needs of people experiencing homelessness. They also emphasised the critical need for employment opportunities, non-discriminatory provision of social support, treatment programs for substance misuse, and legal and social protection.ConclusionThis study contributes to understanding how women experiencing homelessness describe and articulate their living circumstances and what they perceive needs to be addressed. Based on participants’ proposal for change, comprehensive services are needed to address women’s multifaceted issues. However, the mitigation strategies and long-term effects of women’s homelessness require further research. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ab30a11feb674d7397f565432b68e77b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-ab30a11feb674d7397f565432b68e77b2025-02-11T11:02:35ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-02-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.14887701488770“Sleepless nights are a daily reality for us” how women experiencing homelessness in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia describe street life: a photovoice studyKalkidan Yohannes0Kalkidan Yohannes1Kalkidan Yohannes2Mats Målqvist3Hannah Bradby4Yemane Berhane5Dagmawit Tewahido6Dagmawit Tewahido7Sibylle Herzig van Wees8Sibylle Herzig van Wees9Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Centre for Health and Sustainability, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SwedenWOMHER: Women’s Mental Health During the Reproductive Lifespan, Interdisciplinary Research Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SwedenDepartment of Psychiatry, Dilla University, Dilla, EthiopiaDepartment of Women’s and Children’s Health, Centre for Health and Sustainability, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SwedenDepartment of Sociology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SwedenAddis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaAddis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaDepartment of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United StatesDepartment of Women’s and Children’s Health, Centre for Health and Sustainability, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SwedenDepartment of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, SwedenIntroductionHomelessness among women of reproductive age is a global problem. Several unique gender-based issues affect homeless women’s well-being, including reproductive health issues, their homelessness experiences, and a high rate of sexual violence. In this study, we aimed to describe women’s experiences of street homelessness in their own terms and their suggestions to address their unmet needs.MethodsThis photovoice study draws on photos, focus group discussions, and semi-structured interviews. We conducted the study in collaboration with women in their reproductive years experiencing homelessness (n = 9). A total of 80 photos were taken, and 40 were chosen to be discussed in interviews and further focus group discussions. The participating women selected photographs, explained their significance, and codified them based on how they related to their lives. Data from these discussions were then analysed using a reflexive thematic approach.ResultsFour themes were developed from the data: (a) deprivation of basic needs; (b) experiencing dependency, shame, and seclusion while dealing with the burden of street life; (c) the vulnerability and neglect of children; and (d) being resilient to harsh conditions. In this study, women’s street life was characterised by numerous unfavourable aspects, including unmet needs, human rights violations, social exclusions, substance use, and child protection issues. Participants provided suggestions for change and confirmed their belief that adequate housing represents one of the most urgent unmet basic needs of people experiencing homelessness. They also emphasised the critical need for employment opportunities, non-discriminatory provision of social support, treatment programs for substance misuse, and legal and social protection.ConclusionThis study contributes to understanding how women experiencing homelessness describe and articulate their living circumstances and what they perceive needs to be addressed. Based on participants’ proposal for change, comprehensive services are needed to address women’s multifaceted issues. However, the mitigation strategies and long-term effects of women’s homelessness require further research.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1488770/fullphotovoiceparticipatory researchwomen’s homelessnessrooflessnessqualitative researchEthiopia |
| spellingShingle | Kalkidan Yohannes Kalkidan Yohannes Kalkidan Yohannes Mats Målqvist Hannah Bradby Yemane Berhane Dagmawit Tewahido Dagmawit Tewahido Sibylle Herzig van Wees Sibylle Herzig van Wees “Sleepless nights are a daily reality for us” how women experiencing homelessness in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia describe street life: a photovoice study Frontiers in Public Health photovoice participatory research women’s homelessness rooflessness qualitative research Ethiopia |
| title | “Sleepless nights are a daily reality for us” how women experiencing homelessness in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia describe street life: a photovoice study |
| title_full | “Sleepless nights are a daily reality for us” how women experiencing homelessness in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia describe street life: a photovoice study |
| title_fullStr | “Sleepless nights are a daily reality for us” how women experiencing homelessness in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia describe street life: a photovoice study |
| title_full_unstemmed | “Sleepless nights are a daily reality for us” how women experiencing homelessness in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia describe street life: a photovoice study |
| title_short | “Sleepless nights are a daily reality for us” how women experiencing homelessness in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia describe street life: a photovoice study |
| title_sort | sleepless nights are a daily reality for us how women experiencing homelessness in addis ababa ethiopia describe street life a photovoice study |
| topic | photovoice participatory research women’s homelessness rooflessness qualitative research Ethiopia |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1488770/full |
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