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Women and Development in Ethiopia: A Sociohistorical Analysis

Author

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  • Tesfaye Semela

    (Institute of Policy and Development Research, Hawassa University and Department of Social & Cultural Sciences, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen)

  • Hirut Bekele

    (Institute of Policy and Development Research, and College of Governance & Development Studies, Hawassa University)

  • Rahel Abraham

    (College of Education, Hawassa University)

Abstract

This article analyzes the role of women as both contributors to and beneficiaries of the socio-economic development of Ethiopia over the past century during three divergent political regimes. Employing the social constructivist and feminist notions of doing and undoing gender, and Bourdieu’s concept of “Habitus†as its theoretical lenses, this study examines how women were able to deal with the external pressures exerted by social and institutional structures and navigated through a predominantly masculine world to negotiate their changing roles in the Ethiopian society. Based on a review of the relevant literature, analysis of government policies and strategies, and official statistics, this study traces the historical trajectories of Ethiopian women since the early modern imperial era to the present. The study also identifies policy options that have helped to overcome the deep-sited inequalities between men and women in the Ethiopian context.

Suggested Citation

  • Tesfaye Semela & Hirut Bekele & Rahel Abraham, 2019. "Women and Development in Ethiopia: A Sociohistorical Analysis," Journal of Developing Societies, , vol. 35(2), pages 230-255, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jodeso:v:35:y:2019:i:2:p:230-255
    DOI: 10.1177/0169796X19844438
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Samarakoon, Shanika & Parinduri, Rasyad A., 2015. "Does Education Empower Women? Evidence from Indonesia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 428-442.
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    1. Korzenevica, Marina & Fallon Grasham, Catherine & Johnson, Zoé & Gebreegzabher, Amleset & Mebrahtu, Samrawit & Zerihun, Zenawi & Ferdous Hoque, Sonia & Charles, Katrina Jane, 2022. "Negotiating spaces of marginality and independence: On women entrepreneurs within Ethiopian urbanization and water precarity," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    2. Yizengaw, Jerusalem Yibeltal & Weidman, John C., 2024. "Higher education, gender, and job opportunities of engineering graduates in Ethiopia: An exploratory study," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).

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