Understanding the status of women through gendered perspective- a study in awash, afar zone 3, Ethiopia
Student name: Ms Suruchi Upadhyay
Guide: Dr Swarup Dutta
Year of completion: 2018
Host Organisation: Pastoral Community Development Project III, Afar region, Ethiopia
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr Damena Lema
Abstract: In the name of culture and traditional norms majority of the girls in Afar region are victims of
male domination and exploitation. This study examines the social structure of (agro) pastoral
societies in two different villages in Awash, Afar zone 3 that keeps women deprived from having
equal social status with men. The existing socialization process has also spread gender
stereotypical beliefs in the younger generations which escorts them directly towards their
traditional roles set by the society. Being a patriarchal society the power is automated in men
considering women as inferior beings. Such unequal power relations hinders access, decision
making power and participation of women in all sphere of life in addition with burden of extreme
work load. From the primary data collected in the field results suggested that the high loyalty of
the community towards its customary law and culture promotes social evil like early marriage
followed by early birth. The study is focused to understanding the socio-economic and sociocultural
status of women and the issues and challenged faced from the gender norms of the society.
Key words: Women, Culture, Patriarchal Society, Unequal power relation, Decision Making
