Gender Studies

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Understanding the Consequence of Early Marriage on Girls’ Education: The Case of South Sudanese Refugee Girls in Nguenyyiel Refugee Camp, Gambella Peoples’ National Regional State, Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2023-12) Rebecca Dawit; Hanna Tegegn (PhD)
The primary focus of this study was to examine the impact of early marriage on girls' education within the context of the Nguenyyiel refugee camp in Gambella. Early marriage deeply ingrained in socio-cultural customs, forces young girls to abandon their schooling. To explore the consequences of early marriage on girl’s education, data was collected from married girls aged between 12 and 17 years, husbands and parents of the girls, schoolteachers (educators), camp coordinatorsand representatives from child protection-focused international nongovernmental organizations through Key informant interview, In-depth interview. Focus group discussion and observation. The findings revealed that poverty was a major factor leading to early marriages, while some girls reported getting married to fulfill family expectations. This pervasive cultural norm not only deprives young girls of valuable time with their families and peers but also infringes upon their rights to education and autonomy in choosing their life partners. The results also demonstrated that all the participants discontinued their education after marriage, with each of them expressing the negative consequences they experienced as a result. Adverse health outcomes such as fistula and depression were found to be prevalent among these girls. Moreover, domestic violence, poverty, and illiteracy emerged as significant short-term and long-term consequences affecting the lives of these young girls, with potential long-lasting impacts on their future well-being. Despite the acknowledgment of the practice of early marriage within the refugee camp, limited attention has been given to effectively address this harmful cultural norm. Funding allocated to combat child and forced marriages remains insufficient, and there is a prevailing perception that challenging early marriage is a complex task due to its deep-rooted nature in socio-cultural beliefs. It is crucial to highlight the urgent need for comprehensive interventions that prioritize combating early marriage and safeguarding girls' education and rights. Efforts should include raising awareness about the detrimental consequences of early marriage, engaging community leaders and stakeholders to challenge harmful norms, and allocating adequate resources to support initiatives aimed at preventing and addressing early marriage within the refugee camp. By addressing these issues, we can empower young girls, promote gender equality, and ensure their access to education, health, and a brighter future.
School Feeding As Income Generating Activity: Assessment of Opportunities and Challenges of In School Feeding Programs in Yeka Sub-City, Addis Ababa
(Addis Ababa University, 2022-12) Mahlet Worku; Hanna Tegegn (PhD)
This study makes an assessment of the opportunities and challenges caterer mothers employed in school feeding programs (SFP) face while working as caterers in SFPsin YekaSub city, Addis Ababa. The study assessed the practice of the SFPs in terms of the opportunities it offers to the caterer women with regards to job creation and income generation, challenges they face as well as their coping mechanisms as to overcome these challenges. This is a qualitative study in which descriptive research design was employed. The study participants were selected through purposive sampling method. The data was gathered using in depth interviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and observation using observation checklist. The study results indicate that SFP has created employment and viable income generating opportunity with significant economic as well as social benefits for the caterers. However, the study also revealed that factors such as inadequate price setting per meal, lack of adequate start- up capital, market price fluctuations and hyper inflation, disruptions of utility provisions such as electric power and water, the seasonal nature of the program which leaves the caterers out of work during winter school closures, as challenges worth mentioning. The coping mechanisms adapted by the caterer mothers to overcome the socio-economic challenges include employing the traditional saving mechanism (Equb) to cope up with financial hurdles, peer support mechanisms for women with younger children, capitalizing on the traditional social gatherings such as coffee ceremony, weddings, funerals, forming informal associations (Mahbers). Based on the findings, this research provides recommendations highlighting what more can be accomplished in terms of creating a favorable working condition and sustainable income to enhance the socio economic status of the caterer women. Devising and facilitating additional Income Generating Opportunities to fill in financial gaps during school closures, relevant capacity development trainings to the women, standard micro financing schemes, pragmatic price setting and budgeting are recommendations worth mentioning in this study
Gender-Based Violence in Primary and Secondary Schools: The Case of Selected Public Schools in Arada Sub City, Addis Ababa
(Addis Ababa University, 2023-02) Selamawit Befekadu; Hirut Terefe (PhD)
School related Gender-based violence (SRGBV) has a marked influence on the demographic, socio-economic, and reproductive vulnerability of adolescents and youth, as well as directly or indirectly resulting in psychological, physical, and sexual trauma or injury and deprivation of their rights as human beings. There are different forms of violence student experience, Including physical violence, sexual violence, and emotional violence. This study sought to assess Gender Based Violence in schools. An institutional-based cross-sectional study design with mixed quantitative and qualitative approaches was used. The sample size determined for the study was 330 student respondents, who were taken for the study using the simple random-to-size sampling technique. A standardized interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to gather information on various issues, including demographic profiles, female and male students’ perceptions about Gender- based violence, the prevalence of SRGBV, and the effects of SRGBV; key informant interviews (KII) were purposefully held; in-depth interviews; and focused group interviews (FGDs) were employed to gather more information from respondents purposefully; and three groups of FGD respondents were formed based on their sex and status; each group has eight (8) members. According to the findings of this study, age and Low family income were significantly associated with GBV. So, the government needs to devise a strategy for preventing violence and promoting a safe learning environment in schools, perhaps through awareness creation, training education staff and families to give them the tools to prevent and respond to SRGBV and doing activities for students to improve their coping mechanisms to defend against violence.
An Assessment of the Management of Child Day care Services in Federal Governmental Offices: The Case of the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2023-05) Tsige Tadele; Muluemebet Zenebe (PhD)
The study was conducted and assessed the Management of Child Day Care Centers in Federal Government offices. From the Ministry of Education and ministry of health, twenty-three participants were selected through the use of the purposive sampling technique. The data collection methods comprised in-depth inteinterviewscus group discussions, key informant interviews, non-Participatory observation, and a review of related literature were used. The data was systematically analyzed using content analysis of various data sources. The findings have shown, there is a gap in the implementation of the revised Civil Service Proclamation particularly enacted the mandates given to government offices to establish child day care at workplaces and the national child day care center directives. Moreover, the government hierarchy is difficult to coordinate and monitor the service, to avail quality workplace child daycare service. The main findings of the research show that there is no formally trained staff in early child daycare services. Education and/or specialized qualifications have a huge impact on the overall quality of caregiving. Much attention has to be paid to the education and/or training of child caregivers. It was recommended that the Ministry of Education should make all the possible strives to start new caregiver training programs at least diploma level and th curriculum and syllabus should be prepared to produce child care professionals with better knowledge, skill, and attitude on child development and care so they become professionals in their careers.
Assessment of the Importance of Comprehensive Sex Education in Secondary School Curricula
(Addis Ababa University, 2023-12-23) Tsion Molla; Emezat Hailu (PhD)
This study aimed to assess the importance of Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) in Secondary School Curricula. The research focused on assessing the need for the introduction of comprehensive sex education in secondary school curricula, the debate that exists, the role of CSE in promoting gender equality, and existing gaps that remain in the existing curricula. Primary data was collected through an in-depth, semi-structured interview through various techniques. Phone and online interviews were used besides in-person interviews. Respondents include educators, gender experts, curriculum experts, and advocates. Document review was employed to review the secondary school textbook Biology and Civics and Ethical Education and assess the strengths and gaps in relation to CSE. A provisional code was set out to serve as a guide to explore and analyze the documents. The research findings have pointed out that CSE is not officially included in the secondary school curriculum (grades 9 to 12), although certain topics related to sexual and reproductive health are covered in Biology Civics and Ethical Education. Some essential topics were excluded, while the approach and focus are only biological and physical and do not include psychological and social aspects. The study presents the importance of CSE to adolescents' overall well-being, empowerment, awareness, and informed decision-making, leading to improved sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Finally, the study discusses the existing debate and various perspectives around the inclusion of CSE in the curriculum, including concerns of sensitivity, encouragement of adolescent sexual activity, the existing lessons on sexual and reproductive health being sufficient and whether CSE should be a co-curricular activity or a curricular activity. It is recommended that the Ministry of Education revise and expand the current curriculum by adding important topics of comprehensive sex education that are missing and including psychological and social aspects to engage students with real-life case studies. NGOs are recommended to provide culture- sensitive co-curricular CSE materials to ensure approval from the Ministry of Education. Further research and evaluation are recommended to design age-appropriate and culturally sensitive CSE.
The Role of Community Demand Driven Development in Empowering Women: The Case of Bambasi Woreda, Beneshangul-Gumuz Region
(Addis Ababa University, 2023-06) Hizbayesh Getahun; Aynalem Megersa (PhD)
Women empowerment, which remains a substantial issue in Ethiopia, is taken as a research concern in Bambasi Wereda of Benishangul-Gumuz Region. Women in the study area were not empowered both socially and economically as men. This limited empowerment has resulted due to the presence of limited women's participation, lack of capacity building, denial of access and control of resources and deprivation of women to decision making. To avoid these restricting factors, a community driven development approach was implemented by the Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project in the study area. This study pinned out the role of community Demand Driven Development in empowering women in the study area. Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches (mixed research approach) were used. Questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions and document reviews were applied and data were collected concurrently to generate and analyze the data obtained through purposive, stratified, and random sampling techniques. A total of 197 people took part in the study, with 135 Women respondents (48 FHHs and 87 women in MHHs) in household survey, 20 in interviews with key informants, and 42 in focus group discussions. Secondary data were collected from review of related studies, project reports and plans, and other related literature. Quantitative data was coded, entered, validated, and analyzed by descriptive statistics using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS-25). Qualitative data was also categorized by themes and then analyzed. The results of the study indicated that community demand driven development interventions have significantly contributed to women's participation in economic and social issues, household and community decision makings, and improved income, which in turn increased women's empowerment in the study areas. Gender norms which encourage the sphere of women at home and household tasks, prevents women from participating in community decisions and community meetings on an equal footing with men, their lower educational status, presence less seed money for common interest groups and rural saving and credit cooperatives which limited credit access to engage in business requiring more money were encountered problems for women. Arranging convenient time for household work, sharing domestic workloads with young children and husbands, combating gender norms in community meetings through representatives of women committee based members, getting support from their children and relative students in recording their expenditure and revenue, improving group saving to fill gaps to engage in big business and to diversify their business, and sharing of market information through mobile phones were among the coping mechanisms that women were used for encountered problems. Conducting continuous awareness creation trainings on gender issues at grass root level; arranging appropriate time and meeting place, capacity-buildings; promoting women-leadership trainings; creating linkage with microfinances and increasing group saving; promoting women friendly agricultural extension services, adopting labor and energy-saving technologies, and encouraging adult education for women to adopt technologies are suggested recommendations by the study.
The Intersectionality of Gender and Disability: Experiences of Professional Women with Disabilities in Addis Ababa
(Addis Ababa University, 2022-05) Yadesa Asfaw; Mulumebet Zenebe (PhD)
This study attempted to shade light on the diverse realities of inequalities for women with disabilities from intersectional perspectives. The objectives of the study were examining the lives of working women with disabilities and exploring how disability and gender intersect to shape their personal and professional life. This study employed a qualitative research design and relied on qualitative data from in-depth interviews and FGD. A phenomenological approach was used to analyze the intimate accounts of individuals’ experiences. Purposive and snow-ball sampling techniques were used to identify working women with disabilities. A total of eight women with various types of disabilities interviewed and seven participants joined the DGD. Disabled women face discriminations unparalleled to their counterpart women without disabilities. Some of the personal and professional life of women with disabilities affected at the intersection of gender and disability are 1) their perceived beauty and attractiveness (deviation from socially constructed ideals of femininity); 2) traditional gender norms and roles(real and perceived incapacity of adequately discharging household responsibilities); 3) perceived limitations in forming and sustaining relationships, marriage, and childbirth; participation in community life; 4) vulnerability to sexual violence; and 5) access to employment, education and health services. The study revealed disabled persons themselves and families shoulder burdens associated to gender and disability due to negative perceptions and lack of institutionalized support mechanisms. Questions of women with disabilities are different from the general category of ‘women’ or ‘disability’. But interventions attempt to address issues either under the ‘women’ or ‘disability’ categories. Disability prevents women from meeting criteria that women are judged on, making them unable to fulfill expectations. Women with disabilities are systematically excluded from active participation in social life of their community. Employers use recruitment processes to discriminate against disabled women. Women with disabilities are sexually abused more than other women. Their vulnerability is left unrecognized because people associate violence with ‘sexual attractiveness’. Disabled women feel that the medical professionals discourage sexual relations, pregnancy and reported mistreatment. Disability interferes with a woman’s symbolic gender role leading to difficulty accepting disabled women as a wife. Disabled women are expected to go extra miles and prove their competence in workplace. The study revealed challenges shaped disabled women’s lives and inspired them to reach higher levels of education, work ethics, self-reliance, and resilience. The study suggested the implementation of awareness-raising initiatives to redress negative attitudes, gender norms, sexism, and disability bias. Programs on gender-based violence, education, health, and employment should pay attention to peculiarities at the intersection of gender and disability. Success stories of women with disabilities should be highlighted to inspire others and overcome negative stereotypes. Further studies are recommended to understand the way gender-based violence and other aspects of the interplay between gender and disability impacts men with disabilities.
Grassroot Networks as a Pathway to Gender Equality፡ The case of StudentLed Networks in Addis Ababa University Main Campus
(Addis Ababa University, 2023-11) Addisu Yilhal; Aynalem Megersa (PhD)
This study examines how grassroot student-led networks can be a pathway to achieve gender equality. The study focuses on three purposively selected grassroot student-led networks and analyzes their hierarchical and flat structures, decision-making practices, and gender role stereotypes. The study also investigates how these networks identify themselves as feminists and gender justice activists. The results show that although these networks face internal and external challenges, they have the potential to serve as a pathway for the realization of gender equality if they receive technical and financial support from various stakeholders. The study concludes that grassroot student-led networks are prudent task forces that challenge the fundamental constructs of gender inequality at the grass root level.
The Rehabilitation of Female Ex-Convicts in Prison and Their Reintegration to the Community: The Case of Female Ex-Convicts Discharged From Kaliti Prison in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2023-02) Betelhem Adugna; Gudina Abashula (PhD)
The study explored the rehabilitation and reintegration of female ex-convicts who were released from Kaliti Prison to the community in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. The study answered the following research questions: What are the rehabilitation programs Kaliti prison provides to facilitate the reintegration of female ex-convicts before their release, what are the challenges female exconvicts face upon their release and the coping mechanisms female ex-convicts employ to deal with the challenges they face. The study was guided by rehabilitation, reintegration, liberal feminism, Marxist feminism and labeling theories. Qualitative method was employed to collect and analyze the data needed to address the objective of the study. Eleven unstructured in-depth interview and three key informant interviews were conducted between April and June 2023. The study also relied on secondary documents to assess prison programs. The study began by assessing the rehabilitation programs and supports Kaliti Prison Administration provides to facilitate the reintegration of female ex-convicts before their release. The prison rehabilitation programs included social services, counseling, sport and recreation activities and awareness creation on law and ethical education for prisoners. However, not all female ex-convicts had gotten the opportunity to attend all the programs when they were in prison. The prison lacks financial and personal resources to provide the rehabilitation programs for all inmates. The female ex-convicts faced psychological problems such as anxiety and depression. The female exconvicts also faced economic problems such lack of job opportunity and financial support. The study further noted that the female ex-convicts faced social challenges which are manifested through rejection by family members and being labeled as criminals after they were released and returned to the community. The female ex-convicts relied on religious support to cope with their psychological challenges. Furthermore, the female ex-convicts employed concealing criminal background and changing resident area as coping mechanism to deal with the negative reaction of the community. The study indicated that re-entry of female ex-convicts can be difficult. The experience female ex-convicts pass through after imprisonment could result in intense economic and social burden and may force them to recommit crimes. The prison shall design and implement better programs to prepare female inmates for successful reentry to their community upon release. Furthermore, intervention implementers and religious institutions should learn from experiences of other countries and provide some tangible and intangible support to help female ex-offenders.
The Role of Ngos in Promoting Women’s Socio-Economic Status: The case of Meseret Humanitarian Organization’s Women economic empowerment Program
(Addis Ababa University, 2023-10) Betselot Yitagesu; Aynalem Megersa (PhD)
NGO’s support has been considered as one of the instruments in the recent women socioeconomic development program. The aim of the study was to assess the role of NGO in promoting women’s socioeconomic status under the Meseret Humanitarian Organization (MHO) women economic empowerment program. In a country like Ethiopia, NGOs play a crucial role in terms of reducing poverty, women empowerment and other human development. To conduct this study, both primary and secondary data sources are used. The primary data is collected through questionnaires, interviews (key in formant and in-depth) and the secondary data is collected from different books, journals, reports and the internet. Sampling technique used in the study was simple random sampling. A data collection method was mixed approach and those collected data analyzed through using descriptive analysis. The researcher used tables, figures and percentages that are used for data analysis and interpretation. The findings discovered that the program has made a positive impact on attitudinal change, self-confidence (life skill), income change and owing their business for women during the interview and focus group discussions. Moreover, it has a positive impact on personal savings and women’s empowerment both in social and economic changes. The women’s social improvement indicators are changes in social interaction, develop communication skills, capacity to obtain information, share experiences, solve problems together, and Seek collaborative solutions to family challenges through open communication. The project has contributed a great share in improving the lives of women and able women to be empowered form their own beliefs and stand by them with confidence., live true to own values strongly, power (socially & economically) and looks out for self confidence.
Pornography Consumption among Addis Ababa University-Main Campus Students: Implications on Behavioural Patterns of Male and Female Students
(Addis Ababa University, 2023-08) Biruktawit Berhanu; Dilu Shaleka (Ph.D)
This study is aimed to explore pornographic consumption at Addis Ababa University with the view to assess its implication on the behavioral patterns of male and female students on the main campus. The accessibility of advanced internet technology has fundamentally altered how young people, especially students, come into contact with and consume sexually explicit content. It is now possible to access the internet via laptop, smart phone, video game, consoles, and other electronic devices as opposed to the past when it was only possible via a person in all of the world nations. Watching pornography is utilized as an alternative source of sexually related knowledge in Africa because it is difficult to find such information elsewhere. Ethiopia, a developing nation in Africa, is distinguished by its high rate of pornography consumption, but on the contrary, there is a lack of access to alternative information about the negative and positive effects it possesses on sexual and reproductive health. Besides, to achieve the goals of the study, the student researcher used mixed research methods. To generate qualitative data, in-depth interviews and key informant interviews were employed, while the cross-sectional survey method was applied to collect quantitative data. In depth interviews of five volunteer pornography consumers were conducted, while three key informants were interviewed. Also, the data collected from primary and secondary sources were analysed numerically and narratively. The study results show that watching pornography is common among students at Addis Ababa University's main campus among four selected departments. Despite this, male participants consume twice as much porn as female participants. According to the findings, pornography has both negative and positive effects on students. The positive effects of pornography consumption on students include learning new sex styles or acts, increasing sexual satisfaction by using different sexual acts, and learning more about sex. Negative effects include premarital sex, feeling guilt/regret, having unrealistic expectations for dating partners and themselves, and so on, lack of confidence, and obtaining poor academic grade performance. Furthermore, female 51.4% and 56.4% of male participants, argue that pornography leads to and aggravates violence against women. However, no significant difference in the opinion of the pornography effect was found.
Exploring Opportunities and Challenges of Women Police Officers in Leadership at Federal Police Commission, Crime Prevention Sector of Addis Ababa
(Addis Ababa University, 2022-06) Rozina Mulugeta; Mulumebet Zenebe (PhD)
The study's main objective was to look into the opportunities and challenges faced by female police officers in leadership positions at the Federal Police Commission's Crime Prevention Sector of Addis Ababa. To that end, efforts were made to explore female officers' opportunities for leadership participation, identify factors that contribute to women officers' holding various leadership positions, assess barriers that prevent them from participating in leadership positions, and recommend some measures that could be taken to improve their participation in leadership positions. To achieve the objectives of the study, quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. The researchers collected data from both primary and secondary sources. The data was collected using interviews and questionnaires. Concerning the sampling techniques, both probability and non-probability sampling methods are implemented to draw the sample employees. Selected respondent data is processed and analyzed by using statistical tools such as SPSS, percentage, mean, and frequency. To improve the validity and reliability of the study’s conclusion, the findings were thematically categorized and analyzed using a triangulation of different data sources. The findings of this study revealed that the Federal Police Commission provides some opportunities for female police officers in order to enhance their efficiency and involvement in the institution. The study also found that the factors that contribute to women officers' being in leadership positions are personal reasons; support and encouragement from their husbands or families; their male coworkers; and institutional reasons. Accordingly, the main result of the study is that even though there are few female officers in the leadership positions, their participation in these positions is insignificant compared to male officers participation in leadership positions. It was further identified that the major causes that hinder women’s having leadership positions were family-related challenges, lack of interest, lack of self-confidence and other related issues, and other organizational barriers. To overcome these challenges, the federal police commission should have to give special emphasis to gender issues to bring about institutional change, providing education and training on gender issues and military capacity, which is instrumental for leadership positions. Finally, the main measures to be taken to enhance women police officers participation in leadership depend on better addressing gender gaps in the federal police commission and the level of attention given to gender issues in the crime prevention sector.
Ascertainment of Paternity under the Ethiopian Revised Family Law: Legal and Practical Challenges from a Gender Perspective
(Addis Ababa University, 2022-05) Selam Kibret; Emezat Hailu PhD
Ascertainment of paternity under the family code entails various problems in the Ethiopian context. The major problem is associated with the difficulty of ascertaining paternity by all the available mechanisms. The mechanisms provided by the law to ascertain paternities are legal presumption; acknowledgement of paternity and judicial declaration. Each of these mechanisms’ present challenges to the women who are required to prove a man is the father of their child. The challenges presented by the law would be reflected in the practice of litigation process mainly in weighing of the evidence as a result it influences the process to seek medical evidence. This research aims to assess the legal and practical challenges of ascertaining paternity, under the Ethiopian context, from a legal and gender perspective. The research used the doctrinal research method as it broadens legal discourses in terms of its theoretical and conceptual framework which guided the direction of the researcher by enabling to generate evidences to answer the research problems. To this effect, the researcher employed qualitative research approach by using key informant and in-depth interviews. The research identified that the mechanism to assert paternity in the Ethiopian Revised Family Code does not allow means of ascertainment other than. specifically recognized in the law. The law as it stands now solely burdens the woman to prove the man is indeed the child’s father, and demands evidence is submitted before litigation starts. The way the law is designed puts a precondition on a woman to prove the existence of legally recognized relationship. The research further found the practical aspect of ascertaining of paternity present the major challenges such as; requiring a standard of proof higher than any other civil matters; long period of litigations before getting a final judgment; and difficult to execute the judgment. The research also assessed on top of these legally recognized method how the practice created new widely implemented ways of ascertaining paternity in the form medical proof; DNA test, which differs from what is provided in the law. The legal and the practical gaps resulted in unequal treatments between a man and a woman, a financial burden and having to carry the load of both parents in child raising on the woman alone.
Factors Affecting Women’s Participation in the Leadership of Irrigation Water Users Association
(Addis Ababa University, 2022-06) Soyome Alemayehu; Hanna Tegegn (PhD)
In the study Woreda, women comprise 18% of the IWUA which worsened in the leadership positions. This study analyzes factors affecting women’s participation in the IWUA leadership. Four IWUAs were selected purposively from Wolmera Woreda and data was collected through FGD and in-depth and key informant interviews and analyzed thematically. The study shows that on average there are about 11% of women on the committees but none of them are holding the leadership position which is defined in this study as chairperson, deputy chairperson, and secretary of the committees. The main hindering factors for this, as identified in the study, include the existing IWUA proclamation and regulation, which doesn’t state women’s representation in IWUA leadership, and the one person per household representation rule which left out married women in the male-headed households. In addition, women’s workload, lack of access to information, and communities’ perception of women’s leadership were also identified as hindering factors. For not participating in IWUA leadership, women lack capacity building opportunities and the opportunity to learn from each other and share their concerns. Hence this study recommends addressing structural barriers by revising the existing IWUA regulation and developing implementation guidelines to deliberately engage women in the IWUA leadership with commitment. Addressing the root causes of inequality through promotion of gender transformative approaches to enhance women’s access to and control over resources and decision-making power at all levels is also recommended. In addition, tailor-made support is required at all level to ensure participation in IWUA leadership.
Socio-Economic Empowerment of Married Women Working In Selected Flower Farms in Central Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2022-11-05) Mahlet Merid; Aynalem Megersa (PhD)
The study aimed at investigating Socio-Economic Empowerment of Married Women Working in Selected Flower Farms in Central Ethiopia. Specifically, it is concerned with the institutional setup and practice that the Sher Ethiopia and Minaye Flowers have in the workplace, it was also exploring in which the two flower farms empower their women employees, then it is used to understand the extent to of women employees' decision-making power on their respective households, then the thesis is concerned with examining the major challenges women employees in the flower farms encounter with. To address the objectives of the study both qualitative and quantitative methods were used. To gather quantitative data survey questionnaires were prepared and filled in face-to-face interactions with respondents then descriptive statistics were used to analyze data gathered through the survey. To gather the qualitative data observation, both in-depth and key informant interviews were used, and to cross-check data collected through the survey, focus group discussion (FGD) were used. The study finding shows regarding its institutional setup and practice there are different policies, procedures, and legal frameworks that the flower farms are guided with to empower women employees. Among others the gender equality and sexual harassment policies and labor proclamations are employed, both Flower farms use the labor proclamation strictly however there is a gap in effective implementation of the policies. The study also shows that the two flower farms have the intentions of empowering the women employees, most of the women interviewed indicated that they have benefited from the empowerment benefits on the farm, and this increase the women's decision-making powers in their households and workplaces. The study also shows that there are challenges they face at the workplace and outside their working area among this, sexual harassment, low access to credits, and low wage are some challenges. The study can be concluded that women's employment in the two flower farms had shown better changes in empowering their workers in terms of increasing the decision-making power, education, training access and health service delivery. Therefore, the study recommends that the government to set a national wage considering the flower farms, creating of women empowerment legal frameworks and follow-up, boost women empowerment benefits in flower farms, and look for the implementations.
The Role of Community Policing in Reducing Gender based Violence against Women and Girls in Addis Ababa: The Case of Gulele Sub City, Woreda One
(Addis Ababa University, 2019-07) Gudeta Chala; Rahwa Mussie (PhD)
Community policing is a strategy that is implemented in several countries, including Ethiopia to counter crime. It is also considered as having a role to address the pervasive problem of gender based violence in its participatory approach. In this context, this study was conducted with the objective to assess the role of community policing in reducing gender-based violence against women and girls in Gulele sub-city Woreda one. Methodologically, it has applied a qualitative research approach and exploratory research design to undertake the study. The primary data was collected through in-depth interviews, FGD and key informant interview while the secondary sources of information depended on a desk review of relevant documents. The study found out that the major forms of gender-based violence in the study area are rape, domestic violence, and sexual harassment. The role of community policing and community police is found to be significant in countering GBV, but it is not adequately reported since it affects the victims who are in a relatively lower status in terms of age, socio-economic status, and power relations. The community police officers are working for the prevalence of peace and security and for the proper functioning of the community in the area, but it also identified that there is lack of specific work and practice that have been aiming to address the pervasive problem of GBV and a mechanism to reduce it enormously. The study revealed that the community is not actively collaborating with the community police officers in preventing crime/abuse against women and girls. The findings further reveal that Women and Children Affairs of the sub-city and Woreda their collaboration with the community policing office is not strong to the extent of fighting or preventing gender-based violence. In conclusion, the findings of the study pave the way to enhance the implementation or practices of community policing programs and policymakers need to pay attention to integrate GBV issues in the community policing program.
Exploring the Contributing Factors to Increasing Violence against Women and Girls during the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Case of Bole –Sub City of Addis Ababa City Administration
(Addis Ababa University, 2022-06) Hana Bezabih; Emezat Hailu (PhD)
The research title entitles with exploring the contributing factors for the increasing of violence against women and girl at bole sub-city in the Addis Ababa city administration. This thesis therefore takes a closer look at the factors that contribute to the increasing of violence against women and girl at the time of COVID 19 in comparison with prior to COVID 19 at the study area, in Addis Ababa city administration. Qualitative research method is utilized in having an indepth interviewee and key informant interviewee .By using a snowball sampling technique and purposive sampling technique. Therefore, the result from the data indicated that the contributing factors for the increasing of violence against women and girls could be categorized in to two phases The first phase of the factors are the existing reasons of violence prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 such as poverty, trend of normalizing the case of violence, lack of awareness, trusting people without knowing the true personality of the perpetrator. The second phases are the new factors that came up with the following of the outbreak of the pandemic those are the existing of the pandemic by itself, lockdown, victims misperception that legal institution were closed, regarding dropping charges, regarding the increase of under-reported cases of violence, concerning the trend of Watching pornography image and video emotional factors. Therefore, as per the research finding those contributing factors that have existed prior to and after the outbreak of COVID-19 has played crucial role for the increase of violence against women and girl during the pandemic at Bole Sub-city of Addis Ababa city administration. The study also find out the impacts of violence on the lives of women and girls during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the impacts get worsened in line with COVID 19 further the study participant recommends their idea to prevent violence against women and girls when such pandemics occur in the future.
The contributions of Faith-Based Non-Governmental Organizations (FBNGOs) in addressing Gender-Related Issues via their project endeavour: The Case of ACT Alliance Member Organizations
(Addis Ababa University, 2023-02-20) Hildana Teklu; Emezat Hailu (PhD)
This research paper aimed to examine the role of a faith-based organization in addressing gender issues in Ethiopia. This research aimed to understand the role of religion via faithbased organizations, as to how they manage to address the gender issues in development work, and the challenges they face. A qualitative research design was used to achieve the research objective. For primary data collection, a semi-structured one-on-one in-depth interview was conducted, allowing the researcher to consider the voice of each organization's representatives in addition to the forum coordinator. Purposeful sampling was used, and the target group for this research paper was gender-focal persons, directors and program staff. To get in-depth knowledge about the challenges each organization face while maintaining their religious identities in the development arena and how their religious identity helps or hinder gender integration in development work. The finding of this research shows that faith-based organizations had a unique position in development endeavours because of its structure and acceptance in the community and how these organizations use this structure to address issues in the community. Even though these organizations have a religious background in their development work, they tend to separate their approaches. The presence of FBOs in the community made a definite difference, as community members trust these organizations more than secular NGOs. The target organizations implement projects collectively to bring every member to similar levels to create equal opportunity and understanding regarding gender-related issues in the project implementation area and within the organizations. The targeted organizations claim that faith does not orient their activities even if they are faith-based organizations. The project implementation of the member organizations of ACT Alliance aims to address the gender issues in Ethiopia directly and contributes to the achievement of national and international goals. Their centre of development work is mainly on mainstreaming the issue of gender inequality in different projects and using gender-focused programs. The research found that FBOs, particularly the members of ACT Alliance, have a strong potential and responsibility to contribute significantly to closing the gender gap in Ethiopia. In this regard, the researcher recommends the action to achieve gender equality should include collaboration among member organisations, and means to promote equal participation among members need to be strengthened.
Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the Livelihood of Women Street Vendors in Gondar Town, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2022-07) Hiwot Amare; Hanna Tegegn (PhD)
This study aimed to explore the effects of COVID 19 on the livelihood of women street vendors, focusing on selected sites of Gondar town, Ethiopia. The research was conducted through qualitative research using a phenomenological approach. Purposive sampling was used to select participants and data was collected using in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, and observation. A total of 12 participants had recruited for the study. The collected data was analyzed through thematic analysis. Data analysis indicated that street vending was a livelihood strategy for women street vendors who were poor and uneducated. In terms of the effects of COVID19 on the livelihood of women street vendors, the study showed that COVID 19 had multidimensional effects on women street vendors such as hunger, food insecurity, and health-related risks like depression, stress, and anxiety. The study also revealed that the crisis and its subsequent shutdown response have resulted in a dramatic increase in the work burden of women and created a challenging environment both at home and in vending sites. The study indicated that women street vendors who took part in the study employed different forms of coping mechanisms via Faith, social support, decreasing expenditure, skipping a meal, withdrawing female students from school, giving young girls for marriage, and changing dietary habits with minimal nutritional values containing foods as a means to overcome the shock. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher recommends that governmental and non-governmental institutions should pay necessary attention to the lives of women street vendors in developing public health crisis management and should take pragmatic preventive policy-based measures.
Gender and Climate Change Adaptation: An Assessment of the Difference in Experience and Adaptive Capacities of Women and Men Pastoralists in the Five Lowland Districts of Bale Zone, Oromia Region.
(Addis Ababa University, 2022-06-20) Bezaye Negassa; Dilu Shaleka (PhD)
This thesis examines the gender implications of climate change adaptation. The main objective is to understand the difference in gendered climate change perception, experience, adaptation measures, and capacities of women and men agro-pastoralists of the five Lowland Districts of Bale Zone, Ethiopia. A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from June, 1-30, 2022. A mixed study with a quantitative household survey and an exploratory qualitative study was employed to explore the complex phenomenon and enhance triangulation. Thus, the study employed household surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observations. The household survey covered 170 randomly selected households. In addition, 10 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with 8 members each, and 15 Key Informants (KIIs) participated in the qualitative study. In this study, 99.4% of agro-pastoralists perceived climate change in terms of reduced rainfall amount, increased temperature, drying of water sources, barren agricultural lands, short rainy season, and prolonged drought. A high rate of deforestation, fast population growth, and increased depletion of natural resources were the major factors highlighted by 78.2% of the participants as a cause of climate change. The study participants identified massive cattle deaths (40.6%), reduced crop yield, diminished animal products (40.0%), household food insecurity (10.0%), reduced crop yield (6.5%), and de-flocking of livestock (2.9%) as the consequence of climate change induced recurrent drought. Further analysis of gender and the effects of climate change revealed that in the study area, women are required to travel long hours since climate change affected resources critical for basic needs like water and firewood. In addition, the fact that women’s routine and time-taking roles restricted participation in social and economic activities. Moreover, the effect of climate change shifted the traditional role boundaries of women and men agro-pastoralists. This worsened women workload despite its positive implication on changed attitude for equal distribution of labor at household level. Despite women’s contribution to agro-pastoral activities, they did not enjoy equal rights to access, control over, and decide on key agro-pastoralist resources and household income. These increased their financial dependency, which may hinder their adaptive capacity to climate change effects. Furthermore, the climate change effect is exacerbating harmful traditional practices such as early and forced marriage to secure bride prices to subsidize the rest of the family. In addition, women and girls were exposed to safety and security risks as they traveled a long distance to collect water and firewood. This study also indicated that adaptation mechanisms employed by women and men agro-pastoralists vary. Men often actively engage in seasonal mobility and livestock diversification whereas women take on petty trade including selling charcoal, firewood, and animal products to better adapt to climate change. In this study, 52.9% and 60% of the participants witnessed that support from government and non-government institutions did not consider local coping strategies and the different or unique needs of women and men respectively. Thus, climate change adaptation measures and institutional (government and nongovernment) efforts should be based on the critical analysis and understanding of the intersection between climate change effects and the gender dynamics determining the experience, adaptation measures, and capacities of women and men agro-pastoralists to come up with a holistic approach for climate change adaptation.

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