The quest for gender equality and womens empowerment in least developed countries: Policy and strategy implications for achieving millennium development goals in Ethiopia

Abstract

This paper critically reviewed the gender equality and women's empowerment endeavors in least developed countries (LDCs) and proposed policy and strategy measures for achieving millennium development goals (MDGs) in Ethiopia. Ethiopian women are economically, socially, culturally and politically disadvantaged in the enjoyment of equal rights, in accessing opportunities, decision-making processes, and basic resources. In other words, although a number of policies are emerging that support and encourage women's participation in development, women's access to and control of productive resources, information, training and education, employment and in decision-making are limited. The general objective of this paper is to assess the quest for gender equality and women's empowerment in least developed countries to achieve MDGs and identify policy and strategy implications for Ethiopia. This paper adapts a human ecological approach and a comprehensive review and analysis of the existing literature was made in order to obtain both theoretical insights and secondary data on the review themes. The collected secondary data and information were qualitatively analyzed through narration and description and presented under relevant themes. The findings of the study reveal that promising efforts are being made by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to address gender equality and women's empowerment issues in the process of achieving millennium development goals. Nevertheless, a lot has to be done for more effective gender equality and women's empowerment thereby the millennium development goals (MDGs) and sustainable development objectives will be achieved in Ethiopia. Adaptation of the good practices of gender equality and women's empowerment from different successful countries, proper implementation of the ratified international conventions on gender equality and women's empowerment, and development and implementation of appropriate national gender policy will improve the condition of Ethiopian women in the years to come.

Is women empowerment a zero sum game? Unintended consequences of microfinance for women’s empowerment in Ghana

“…A number of scholars have argued that microfinance for women can be effective in in alleviating poverty and improving household (Srinivasa & Shivanna, 2015;Ogato, 2013;Salia, 2014). Case studies in Asia indicate that access to micro-finance enhances women's economic independence and bargaining powers, but the positive impacts are often limited and hindered by a culture of patriarchy pervasive in Asia (Kulkarni, 2011).…”

Agricultural intensification in Ethiopia: Review of recent research

“…As such, the gains made in tenure need to be understood within this context and understood as just one of many required interventions to support the rights and empowerment of women. Some progress in policy and practice has been made in areas outside of tenure (Ogato, 2013), however implementation varies across the country (Lavers, 2014) and greater integration of efforts is required so that changes reinforce one another, rather than in piecemeal fashion.…”

Human Rights in Ethiopia: An Assessment on the Law and Practice of Women’s Rights

“…Moreover, those established women's rights-oriented institutions such as the Women's Affairs Office and the Women's Affairs Departments have suffered from lack of capacity notably human resource (Ogato, 2013). The cumulative effect of those challenges discussed above, though not the only, perpetuates violation of women's rights.…”

“…Empowerment of women and girls is at the core of the current government's social and economic policies (Permanent Commission, 2013). The pronouncement of National Policy on Women in 1993 with the aim of promoting social, economic, and political rights of women has significant contribution in this regard through making gender related structure in the government which informs government policies with gender issue (Ogato, 2013). Hence, it is a well established fact that Ethiopian laws and policies are informed by the worth of gender equality and protection of women's rights.…”

“…In other words, the changes being brought are not adequate. Women are not equally enjoying as men of their rights in the political, economic, and social affair of the country (Ogato, 2013). They have still limited access to and control of productive resources, employment, information, decisionmaking, and training (ibid).…”