Gender Inequality and the Sexual and Reproductive Health Status of Young and Older Women in the Afar Region of Ethiopia

Abstract

The main purpose of this research was to analyze gender context in the Afar region of Ethiopia and propose a set of strategies or actions to improve adolescent and youth health. Using a pre-established gender analysis framework, an explorative qualitative study was conducted in five districts. Sixteen key informants and eight focus group discussions were conducted among adult women and men of young adolescents and youth. The study revealed that younger and older women are the most disadvantaged groups of the society. This is due to the high workload on women and girls (housekeeping, building a house and taking care of cattle and children), they also are less valued, have no control over resources and have no part in decision making, including their personal life choices. As a result, they rarely access school and health facilities. They are forced get married according to arranged marriage called “absuma.” As such, they suffer from multiple reproductive health problems. Women have poor decision-making autonomy, lack control over resources, have limited participation in socio-economic practices, and experience child and early forced marriage, and this poor service utilization has exposed them to the worst sexual and reproductive health outcomes.

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“…Therefore, they might have less time to read and scale up their knowledge by far. 33 Participants with divorced marital status (AOR=0.29, 95% CI=0.09-0.88) were 71% less likely to have poor knowledge than a single one. This finding was supported by the study done in Ethiopia.…”

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“…Additionally, in the Afar region, young women are less valued, have no control over resources, and have low decision-making power both at home and within the community, including their personal life choices. As a result of this rigid culture and tradition of marriage make young women forced to get married at early age [37]. Due to the limited resources and reduced capacity to protect their rights, the regional government of Afar has failed to respond to the needs of women [37].…”

“…As a result of this rigid culture and tradition of marriage make young women forced to get married at early age [37]. Due to the limited resources and reduced capacity to protect their rights, the regional government of Afar has failed to respond to the needs of women [37]. Therefore, to eradicate early marriage by 2025 targeted intervention like enhancing the capacity to produce resources, encouraging women's autonomy to participate in decision-making, and engaging different stakeholders with key expertise is recommended in hot spot areas.…”

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“…Furthermore, females might have decreased social contact after their work time since they have a lot to do in the Ethiopian context. 37 However, to get married was 1.64 times more likely to have good practice as compared with being single. The possible explanation might be those pairs would probably have better-shared information and minimized attention divert as compared with being single.…”

“…Furthermore, females have extraordinary activities as compared with males such as cocking, washing, and preparing for daily home consumption. 37 Therefore, they might have less time to read and scale up their knowledge by far.…”