Women Political Empowerment and Decentraliza Tion in Addis Ketema Sub-City, Addis Ababa
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Date
2010
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Despite decentralization is one of the major policy concerns in Ethiopia, studies
regarding its impact on women political empowerment is largely missing. This study
assessed the opportunities, challenges and prospects of women political empowerment
within the decentralization ji-amework in Addis Ketema Sub-City. To this end, data was
gathered using both qualitative and quantitative data collection instruments.
The study has found that decentralization is accompanied by institutional opportunities
such as local council system that enable women to participate in politics in the sub-city.
Currently women cons/it ute on average 39% of local councilors. They also constiluted
33% of heads of executive ofJices. Decentralization has also resulted in the creation of
women affairs office.
Nevertheless, women participation and representation in local government institutions is
found to be low compared to their percentage share in the total population of the sub-city.
More importantly, the over all situation of women political empowerment is found to be
at its nascent stage. This has greatly to do with low level of gender awareness amongst
the society, absence of institutionally capable women organizations dedicated to
women's concerns, seasonality of political parties mobilization strategy, limited
resources and power available to local instilutions. Moreover, there is low level of
coordination among concerned stakeholder so as to properly exploit available
opportunities of women polilical empowerment in the study area. Therefore deepening
the decentralization process and installing affirmative measures such as reserved seats
or quota system jor women deemed a key way outs.
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Keywords
Women Political Empowerment