Women's Decision-Making in the Household: The Case Of Women Petty Traders in 'Gulelle' Sub-City, Addis Ababa
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Date
2007-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The present study examines the impact of income earning on the decision-making
power of women in the household and its contribution to the well being of children as
well as other household members. The study participants are 16 women petty traders
from 'Gullell Sub-city of Addis Ababa Administrative zone, who are at wedlock,
within the age range of 25-55 and who have at list one child residing with them.
Feminist research approach is applied guided by the gender stratification theory. Data
was collected through participant observation, interviews and a focus group
discussion informed by critical feminist ethnographer's principles.
The study reveals that the income earning of women petty traders has contributed to
their decision-making power in the household. It further discloses that income earning
of the women has complex and contradictory effect. Although it has improved the
status of the women, in some instances it has created burden on the live of women.
The study reveals that income and the gendered ideologies matters in the household
decision-making. The less important household matters such as house management
(gender roles of women) are left to the exclusive decisions of women where as, in the
important household matters such as control of household resources (capital, assets)
etc. the negotiating power of women in the decision-making processes is influenced
by the gendered ideologies in addition to their income contribution
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Gender Studies