The Asian Man - An International Journal
Year : 2009, Volume : 3, Issue : 1
First page : ( 1) Last page : ( 16)
Print ISSN : 0974-6366.

Empowering Rural Women in Ethiopia: An Assessment of Experiences and Challenges in Wadla Wereda, Amhara National Regional State

Melese Bekele, Lecturer, Mekonnen Sewnet, Lecturer

Deptt. of Sociology, University of Gondar, Ethiopia.

Abstract

In Ethiopia, a great deal of gender based bias is committed against women in social, economic, political and customary relations. Women shoulder the major responsibility of household maintenance and disproportionately share the burden of poverty, as they have less access to and control over productive resources. Most rural women suffer from the age-old stereotypes and public attitudes that undermine their roles. Such atraditional attitude held by the majority of the society hampers women's immense contribution to national development, and also denies them access to the fruits of development. This research has explored the roles and statusesof womenin the productive and reproductive lives of households and the experiences of wadla wereda in empowering women and building institutions towards gender parity. For this purpose; across-sectional research was designed and conducted in July and august 2007. The findings revealed that the age old traditional believes and attitudes that assume women to be subordinate to men is still strong. Women remain vastly underrepresented in local assemblies and their voice is not loud enough to be listened. In fact, encouraging outcomesarebeing achieved in fighting harmful traditional practices that impede their potential contributions in the productive and reproductive lives of the community.

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