{f} repulse, drive back, ward off, defend; look after, support; avoid giving a direct answer
withstand the force of something; "The trees resisted her"; "stand the test of time"; "The mountain climbers had to fend against the ice and snow"
If you have to fend for yourself, you have to look after yourself without relying on help from anyone else. The woman and her young baby had been thrown out and left to fend for themselves. fend for yourself to look after yourself without needing help from other people (defend)