Women Political Participations at a Local Government in Ethiopia: The Case of Sebeta Town

Abstract

Women equal participation in local government plays a pivotal role in the general processes of the advancement of women. In Ethiopia, although women are granted constitutional rights to take part in any affairs affecting their life, they do not exercise equal rights of participating in politics due to many of factors. The general objective of this study was to assess the political participation of women in local government and identify factors affecting their participation. Both qualitative and quantitative research approach were followed. The research is both descriptive and explanatory in its type. The researcher has collected both primary data from both women and men citizens of the town and government officials. The study identified that the political participation of women in Sebeta town is low compared to men except for their equal participation in election.  The study found that women are underrepresented in local power structure, decision making body and political parties. This is mainly due to factors like: educational constraints, gender based division of labor and institutional factors.

Keywords: local government, participation, women, council, cabinet and decision making.