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Gender Inequality and the Sexual and Reproductive Health Status of Young and Older Women in the Afar Region of Ethiopia

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  • Muluken Dessalegn

    (Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia, Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Department, Addis Ababa P O Box 20855 Code 1000, Ethiopia
    School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2751, Australia)

  • Mhiret Ayele

    (Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia, Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Department, Addis Ababa P O Box 20855 Code 1000, Ethiopia)

  • Yeshitila Hailu

    (Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia, Head of Programs, Addis Ababa P O Box 20855 Code 1000, Ethiopia)

  • Genetu Addisu

    (Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia, Reproductive Maternal and Child Health Department, Addis Ababa P O Box 20855 Code 1000, Ethiopia)

  • Sintayehu Abebe

    (Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia, Reproductive Maternal and Child Health Department, Addis Ababa P O Box 20855 Code 1000, Ethiopia)

  • Haset Solomon

    (Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia, Reproductive Maternal and Child Health Department, Addis Ababa P O Box 20855 Code 1000, Ethiopia)

  • Geteneh Mogess

    (Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia, Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Department, Addis Ababa P O Box 20855 Code 1000, Ethiopia)

  • Virginia Stulz

    (School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2751, Australia)

Abstract

The main purpose of this research was to analyze gender context in the Afar region of Ethiopia and propose a set of strategies or actions to improve adolescent and youth health. Using a pre-established gender analysis framework, an explorative qualitative study was conducted in five districts. Sixteen key informants and eight focus group discussions were conducted among adult women and men of young adolescents and youth. The study revealed that younger and older women are the most disadvantaged groups of the society. This is due to the high workload on women and girls (housekeeping, building a house and taking care of cattle and children), they also are less valued, have no control over resources and have no part in decision making, including their personal life choices. As a result, they rarely access school and health facilities. They are forced get married according to arranged marriage called “absuma.” As such, they suffer from multiple reproductive health problems. Women have poor decision-making autonomy, lack control over resources, have limited participation in socio-economic practices, and experience child and early forced marriage, and this poor service utilization has exposed them to the worst sexual and reproductive health outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Muluken Dessalegn & Mhiret Ayele & Yeshitila Hailu & Genetu Addisu & Sintayehu Abebe & Haset Solomon & Geteneh Mogess & Virginia Stulz, 2020. "Gender Inequality and the Sexual and Reproductive Health Status of Young and Older Women in the Afar Region of Ethiopia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:12:p:4592-:d:376606
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hundie, Bekele, 2006. "Explaining Changes of Property Rights among Afar Pastoralists, Ethiopia," Institutional Change in Agriculture and Natural Resources Discussion Papers 18833, Humboldt University Berlin, Department of Agricultural Economics.
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    Cited by:

    1. Muluken Dessalegn Muluneh & Lyn Francis & Kingsley Agho & Virginia Stulz, 2021. "A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Associated Factors of Gender-Based Violence against Women in Sub-Saharan Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-28, April.
    2. Muluken Dessalegn Muluneh & Lyn Francis & Mhiret Ayele & Sintayehu Abebe & Misrak Makonnen & Virginia Stulz, 2021. "The Effect of Women’s Empowerment in the Utilisation of Family Planning in Western Ethiopia: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-14, June.

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