No abstract

In Ethiopia, large numbers of women are at higher risk of gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices. The main aim of the study is to explore the prevalence rate of gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices against women in the Tigray region, Ethiopia. In this study, a total of 1253 women were surveyed, of which 560 were from rural areas. Further, 14 focus group discussions and in-depth key informant interviews were conducted with relevant governmental and non-governmental bodies. It was found that a significant number of married women were not asked for their permission to be married and their mate was mostly selected by their family. Among others, age was found to be a statistically significant predictor for early marriage and permission of girls to get married with an odds ratio of 0.95 and 0.97, respectively ( p < 0.05). Twenty-one forms of gender-based violence and 29 forms of harmful traditional practices and stereotypes against women were identified. These practices were mostly supported by the community. While gender-based violence was found to be somewhat higher in urban areas, most of the harmful traditional practices were slightly higher in rural areas.

The impact of precipitation variability on food production is very significant. For food insecure rural areas, understanding the nature of precipitation variability and its teleconnection has paramount importance in guiding regional and local level decisions. In this study, we analyzed the monthly, seasonal and annual precipitation variability and the strength of its teleconnection with the global sea-surface temperature (SST) and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) indices in the food insecure rural areas of Tigray region, Ethiopia. The precipitation, SST, and ENSO indices data for the study were used from 1979 to 2019. A Summary of descriptive statistics and Mann Kendall test methods were applied to detect existence of trends; and Sen’s Slope and coefficient of variation are used to analyze the magnitude of the trend, and degree of variation in the trend of precipitation. Further, Pearson’s correlation is used to determine the effect of ENSO, and SST variations on the precipitation using the Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA). The results revealed that the precipitation over the study areas is characterized by a distinctive bi-modal pattern with limited rains in March – May preceding the main rainy season June – September. The limited amount of precipitation, exacerbated by higher degree of variability, makes the food production in the study areas more uncertain. Besides, there was a very significant decline in the trend of March – May average precipitation and a significant decline in the trend of the annual average precipitation of Hintalo area. The SSTs of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, and northeast and northwest equatorial Atlantic Ocean was strongly correlated with April’s average precipitation of the study areas. Further, the SST of south, west and southwest of equatorial Indian Ocean, and west equatorial Pacific Ocean were associated with July – September average precipitation with greater variation in strength among of the study areas. Moreover, July’s average precipitation of all the study areas, April’s average precipitation of Atsbi and Eirop, and May’s precipitation of Hintalo are found significantly associated with the ENSO indices of JFM, FMA, MJJ and MAM. Therefore, the task of achieving food security in the study areas should incorporate the design of informed food production strategies that can adapt the limited and variable precipitation based on these SST and ENSO indices.

Information on current status of ecosystem services has vital importance in preparing local, regional and national economic plans. Results from assessment report of the condition of ecosystem services help decision makers to focus on the services that are more likely to be sources of risks and opportunities for specific decisions. The main objective of this study is to assess the risks and opportunities that are related with ecosystem services within Mekelle city. Data for the study has been utilized from secondary sources. Findings of the study show that, there are different ecosystem services that provide a variety of goods and services in Mekelle city. Food and fresh water supply, genetic resources, air quality, climate and water regulation, water purification and waste treatment, recreation and eco-tourism, nutrient cycling and water cycling are screened to be relevant ecosystem services in the city. To assess the condition and trends of the relevant ecosystem services in the city, a detailed analysis of the condition of relevant ecosystem services is done. For this purpose, indicators are selected and used to evaluate the condition and trends of the relevant ecosystem services and the drivers.

Climate change is the most serious threat that the world is facing today. Transport sector in general and road transport in particular have a prominent contribution in intensifying the causes of climate change. Mitigating the vehicular greenhouse gas emission is one of the finest approaches to deal with climate change. Thus, the main aim of the study is to examine the vehicular greenhouse gas emission reduction measures being undertaken in the emerging cities of Ethiopia. The study has employed a descriptive research method with qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Data for the study were obtained from the emerging and second largest city of Ethiopia, Mekelle. Auxiliary facts are also obtained from the other two emerging regional capital cities (Bahir Dar and Adama) and one city council (Dire Dawa) of Ethiopia. This study has found that two measures of reducing vehicular greenhouse gas emissions are being undertaken in the urban road transport of Ethiopia: the technical and nontechnical measures. The technical measures of reducing vehicular emissions entertain mechanical measures taken by drivers. These include: use of biofuel, annual inspections of cars and complying with speed limits. Nontechnical measures, on the other hand, incorporate policy measures carried out to reduce the levels of emissions. These include: extending public transport services, promoting the use of non‐motorized transport, taxing vehicles, integrating urban transport with the land use planning, improving and extending urban road infrastructures, regulation of transport‐related legislation, and organizing civil society movements to mitigate vehicular emissions. © 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13146, 2019