single-handedly (as a woman); on one's own (as a single mother)
Used when a woman raises children or manages a household alone, without a partner. Often followed by 育てる or similar verbs.
See also: 男手一つで
She raised three children single-handedly as a single mother.
女手一つで家計を支えるのは大変だ。
It's tough to support the household finances on one's own as a woman.
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling.
Variant with ひとつ in kana; equally natural.
From 女手 (woman's hand/labor) + 一つ (one) + で (by means of), literally 'with one woman's hand'.