Report on barriers to women’s political participation in Ethiopia

Key Findings:

• Underrepresentation of Women: Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in Ethiopian political institutions. As of January 2024, Ethiopia ranks 7th in Africa and 31st globally for women's representation in the lower house (41%) and 30% in the upper house. Ethiopia has not yet had a female prime minister, and only 29% of state minister positions were held by women in 2020.
• Multi-faceted Barriers: The report identifies five main categories of barriers:
  1. Policy, Legal, and Institutional Barriers: Weak enforcement of gender equality laws, absence of measurable temporary special measures (TSMs) like quotas, and male-dominated political party dynamics.
  2. Socio-Cultural Barriers: Deeply ingrained gender stereotypes, traditional norms assigning women to domestic roles, and family responsibilities that limit public engagement. A 2022 study revealed that 98.77% of the Ethiopian population has at least one bias against women's participation in various spheres, with 45% holding at least one bias against WPP.
  3. Structural and Economic Barriers: Limited access to financial resources, education, professional networks, and the high cost of political campaigns.
  4. Psychological Barriers: Low self-esteem and self-confidence among women due to gender stereotypes and social norms, as well as political apathy and fear of violence.
  5. Violence Against Women in Politics (VAWP): Psychological, physical, and economic violence during elections discourages women's political involvement.
• Regional Disparities: The impact of these barriers varies significantly across regions due to diverse cultural, religious, socio-economic, and educational backgrounds. Rural and pastoral areas face more rigid gender expectations and less access to education, while urban areas show relative increases in opportunities for women, though stereotypes persist at higher leadership levels.
• Legal Framework: Ethiopia's 1995 FDRE Constitution and Electoral Proclamation No. 1162/2020 include provisions to promote WPP, such as financial incentives for parties with more female candidates and gender consideration in recruitment. However, the legal framework lacks a comprehensive and measurable affirmative action system like a mandatory quota.

Strategies for Overcoming Barriers:

The report recommends comprehensive affirmative actions (e.g., quotas), enhanced enforcement of existing legal frameworks, supporting socio-cultural change through education and media campaigns, providing financial and mentorship opportunities to women candidates, and establishing safe environments free from violence in politics.