Bottlenecks of Gender Equality in West Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study aimed at investigating bottlenecks of gender equality in West Oromia, Ethiopia. The study employed descriptive qualitative case study. Data collection methods were in-depth interview, key informant, observation and document review. The study vividly found out that traditionally, parents’ property is passed through men line, in which women have limited accessibility and controlling over the resources. The study also showed that women and men were paid differently for the same activities especially in informal sector. This devalued women’s work capability since their payment is varyingly treated for the same or similar tasks in daily laboring. Women are socially discriminated, excluded, negatively stereotyped and perceived as inferior and weak. It is also important to note that women are mythically discriminated, degraded and negatively labeled. The study recommends that in order to ensure and bring gender equality, these complicated bottlenecks should be addressed by engaging various stakeholders including public and private sectors, local and international non-governmental organizations and other concerned actors.