1. Background to the study
Poverty and urbanization are highly gendered, with women constituting the poorest of the poor in most developing countries. A study by Kanji (1993) indicated that women, in general, and female heads of households, in particular, make up the majority of the urban poor. Moreover, literature on gender and development argue that development is often subjected to male bias (Kabeer, 1994; Moser, 1993).
Realizing the poor status of women worldwide, women's issues have been included in United Nations (UN) agenda. Since 1975, UN has organized women in different countries to raise mass awareness on women's issues and mainstream gender equality programs in national as well as international agenda (UNDP, 2000). In light of this, …show more content…
In Ethiopia, gender inequality and disempowerment have been rampant in all parts of the country owing to the socio-cultural exclusions and economic problems prevailing in the society. For instance, a study by Berouk (2004) indicated that gender inequality in Ethiopia has been the results of many interrelated factors yet, classified into four broad categories such as: (i) cultural influence; (ii) institutional and political commitment in gender issues; (iii) women's access to basic social services and resources; (iv) women's self-esteem and low …show more content…
However, the most frequently cited factors include: (a) request for collateral (Mayoux, 1999 & Yaron, 1997); (b) activity based targeting and loan size (Kabeer, 2009; Mayoux, 2005); (c) physical and mental conditions of eligible women (Resal, 2001); (d) exclusion of the poorest (Rahaman, 2000); (e) lack of education and experience (Cheston & Kuhn, 2002; Naser, 2009). On the other hand, studies made in 12 West African countries show that there are legal and cultural restrictions against women restricting accesses to education, skills, and capital that have great potential in improving their ability to succeed in small businesses (Nilufer, 2001; Webster & Fidler,
Poverty and urbanization are highly gendered, with women constituting the poorest of the poor in most developing countries. A study by Kanji (1993) indicated that women, in general, and female heads of households, in particular, make up the majority of the urban poor. Moreover, literature on gender and development argue that development is often subjected to male bias (Kabeer, 1994; Moser, 1993).
Realizing the poor status of women worldwide, women's issues have been included in United Nations (UN) agenda. Since 1975, UN has organized women in different countries to raise mass awareness on women's issues and mainstream gender equality programs in national as well as international agenda (UNDP, 2000). In light of this, …show more content…
In Ethiopia, gender inequality and disempowerment have been rampant in all parts of the country owing to the socio-cultural exclusions and economic problems prevailing in the society. For instance, a study by Berouk (2004) indicated that gender inequality in Ethiopia has been the results of many interrelated factors yet, classified into four broad categories such as: (i) cultural influence; (ii) institutional and political commitment in gender issues; (iii) women's access to basic social services and resources; (iv) women's self-esteem and low …show more content…
However, the most frequently cited factors include: (a) request for collateral (Mayoux, 1999 & Yaron, 1997); (b) activity based targeting and loan size (Kabeer, 2009; Mayoux, 2005); (c) physical and mental conditions of eligible women (Resal, 2001); (d) exclusion of the poorest (Rahaman, 2000); (e) lack of education and experience (Cheston & Kuhn, 2002; Naser, 2009). On the other hand, studies made in 12 West African countries show that there are legal and cultural restrictions against women restricting accesses to education, skills, and capital that have great potential in improving their ability to succeed in small businesses (Nilufer, 2001; Webster & Fidler,