Women and Development in Ethiopia: A Sociohistorical Analysis

Tesfaye, S., Hirut, B. and Rahel, A. (2019) ‘Women and Development in Ethiopia: A Sociohistorical Analysis’, Journal of Developing Societies, 35 (2), pp. 230-255. 

The authors intended to explore gender-based inequality and power relations in Ethiopia over the past century with an aim of examining historical milestones that characterise social change. In doing so, they examined how women’s socio-economic and political roles have changed over time, and how women’s status has been changed in various ideological and political contexts. As a research method the author used a literature review of various authoritative sources and explored a historical trajectory of women during Ethiopia’s transition from the Middle Ages to the modern period to globalisation era.

Accordingly, during the period from the Middle Age, it was found that women played a great role in various economic, social, and cultural life. However, they are denied control over the resources that could have ensured their economic empowerment. Among other things, women are denied ownership right over the land, political engagement, and education opportunities. The modern period in Ethiopia commenced with the coming into power of emperor Menelik II. Though modern education was opened during this time, only boys were eligible to be enrolled and girls were denied. The first girl’s school was officially inaugurated in 1931 as Empress Menen School. However, its accessibility is still limited to girls belonging to well doing families. Moreover, the school served as gender role socialisation, whereby girls are learning feminine traditional roles as future wives and mothers.

The authors discussed the most significant moment in history of gender resistance, which commenced in the mid 1950s at the University College of Addis Ababa, which later on followed by ‘Battle of Sexes’ that influenced young female intellectuals to deliberate the need for women having organisational independence. During the Derg regime, the slogan “We struggle to eradicate Double Oppression!” gave some hope for women that their situation will improve. However, the reality on the ground doesn’t hold true as enrolment at the tertiary education level is dominated by male. Between 1987/1988 and 1989/1990 female enrolment percentage grew only 0.3 percent, from 10.6 % to 10.9 %.

In discussing the current trend, the authors indicated that over the past two decades, various legal and policy framework work that emphasise gender equality have been introduced. The establishment of the Ministry of Women Affairs (MoWA) for the first time in Ethiopian history was a significant step forward. The ministry played a great role by enacting ‘National Policy on Women’ in 1993. The policy identified the broad areas that require specific policy intervention to address gender issues in education, health, women rights, Land ownership, protection from domestic violence, Early Marriage, FGM/C, Divorce…etc. According to Growth Transformation plan II, women account for 20% of Agricultural Extension recipients, and 41.8% of micro finance service beneficiaries. Between 2010 and 2015, the government was composed of 1 female (33.3%) and 2 male (66.6%) deputy prime ministers; 21 male (87.5%) and 3 female (12.5%) cabinet ministers; and 44 male (91.7%) to only 4 women (8.3%) state ministers. 

Generally, the study confirmed that in Ethiopian history from the past to present women are equally contributing to society in all aspects of life. However, their social status regarding economic empowerment, safety and security, and property ownership are not realised to date. Thus, policies and programs put in place shall be implemented so that meaningful structural changes will be implemented.