2st Draft Gender Analysis Report June 9 2023 Commented

2ND DRAFT REPORT - GENDER ANALYSIS
Catalyzing Strengthened Policy aCtion for heAlthy Diets and resiliencE (CASCADE) project
DRAFT REPORT
GENDER ANALYSIS:
Catalyzing Strengthened
Policy aCtion for heAlthy
Diets and resiliencE
(CASCADE)
CARE ETHIOPIA
MOMENTUM
PROFESSIONALS
| Momentum Professionals, Gender Consultants: Yeka Sub City, CMC Street, Kebele 19, House No. New.
Ethiopian Economic Association (EEA) Building 2 nd Floor, Room No. 209, Tel: Office +251-011-6466035, Cell +251-
1
994901840, Fax: +251-011-6466036, P.O.Box 8898, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
CONTENTS
Abbreviations..................................................................................................................................................................3
Executive Summary........................................................................................................................................................4
Background.....................................................................................................................................................................9
Objective of the Gender Analysis.................................................................................................................................12
Theoretical Framework.................................................................................................................................................13
METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................................................................15
Core Areas of Inquiry for Gender Analysis..................................................................................................................16
Area of inquiry 1: Sexual/gendered division of labor..........................................................................................16
Area of Inquiry-2: Household decision-making...................................................................................................20
Area of Inquiry-3: Control over Productive Assets.............................................................................................22
Area of Inquiry-4: Access to public spaces and services.....................................................................................24
Area of Inquiry-5: Meaningful Participation in Public Decision Making...........................................................26
Area of Inquiry-6: Control over one’s body.........................................................................................................27
Area of Inquiry-7: Violence and Restorative Justice...........................................................................................29
Area of Inquiry-8: Aspiration...............................................................................................................................31
Applying Gender Analysis to Programming.................................................................................................................32
Practical and strategic issues identified................................................................................................................32
General Recommendations..................................................................................................................................33
Specific Recommendations..................................................................................................................................34
REFERENCE................................................................................................................................................................36
2
Abbreviations
BoA Bureau of Agriculture

BoWSA Bureau of Women and Social Affairs
BoE Bureau of Education
CASCADE Catalyzing Strengthened policy aCtion for healthy Diets and resilience
CBO Community Based Organization
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
FGD Focus Group Discussion
FTC Farmers’Training Center
GBV Gender Based Violence
GAIN Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition
GEM Gender Equality Marker

IDI In-depth Interview
KII Key Informant Interview
MFI Micro-finance Institutions
MMHH Men in Male Headed Households
MoA Ministry of Agriculture
MoE Ministry of Education
MoWSA Ministry of Women and Social Affairs
NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations
TVET Technical and Vocational Education Training
VSLA Village Saving and Loan Association
WMHH Women in Male Headed Households
WFHH Women in Female Headed Households
3
Executive Summary
Background: CARE Ethiopia in collaboration with the government of Ethiopia, in partnership with Global Alliance
for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and with funding from Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is implementing a
project entitled CASCADE, short for Catalyzing Strengthened policy aCtion for healthy Diets and resilience. CARE is
implementing CASCADE project in Ethiopia as one of six CASCADE implementation countries of Africa. This is a
four-and half-year project designed with the aim to increase access to and consumption of healthy diets and to
increase the resilience of households to economic and climate change-related shocks with a focus on women of
reproductive age and children in South Gonder Zone of Amhara region. By 2026, CASCADE will reach about
264,636 women or reproductive age group, children 2-14 years and children under the age of two. The CASCADE
project plans to work intensively within 60 Kebeles of four Woredas of South Gonder Zone of Amhara region.
Objective: The gender analysis study was conducted to systematically identify key gender issues contributing to
gender inequalities in in four Woredas (3 Kebeles each) namely Libokemkem, Ebinat, Lay Gayint and Tach Gayint
of South Gonder zone (Amhara region) of CASCADE project intensive implementation area.
Methods: A qualitative study approach was used for gender analysis. Purposive sampling - typical case was
employed to select relevant FGD participants, and expert sampling method was used to select key informants, and
extreme case sampling methods was used to select model women. A total of 16 FGDs were conducted among
women in male headed household, women from female headed households, men from male headed households,
and mixed group of men and women. In addition, a total of 54 KII’s were conducted with community/religious/
local leaders, key representatives from government sectors (BoA, BoWSA, BoE, Health Bureau, Bureau of Trade
and Market Management) and private sectors (cooperatives, Business Women Association and Chamber of
Commerce) at Woreda, Zonal and Regional level. Due to saturation, in-depth interview was conducted with 5
model women who directly or in-directly were successful in the production, acquisition, preparation and
consumption of healthy diets for themselves and their children. CARE gender analysis tools adapted and used in
the study which were: Seasonal Calendar, Daily Time Use, Community, Social and Resource Mapping, Intra-
household Decision Making, GBV Problem Tree tool, Venn Diagram, Access and Control Profile tool, Pile Sort tool,
in-depth interview guide and Key Informants Interview Guide. The data collected by these tools were used to
systematically identify key gender issues contributing to gender inequalities related to healthier diets and
nutrition, and resilience among project participants. All the eight areas of inquiry were assessed across the three
domains of CARE’s Gender Equality Framework: Building Agency, Change Relations and Transforming Structures. In
addition, the research team triangulated data from across conversations by identifying the most prevalent gender/
social norms in South Gonder Zone (in 4 Woredas) around nutritious diet consumption affecting women of
reproductive age and children under 14; and how they affect women's economic empowerment and their
participation in decision making for further analysis and social norm intervention.After identification of the gender
norms key immediate rights that affect women’s conditions (practical rights) as well as the needed transformation
in structures and relations to pursue gender equality (strategic interests) were pointed out with key indicators as
the first step to the progress markers identification process.
Major Findings
Gender Division of Labour
« Division of labour is gendered : Gender norms in the studied areas that state: ‘household chores and child
care are responsibilities of women and livelihood activities are responsibilities of men’ have limited women
and men to these gender roles. A man often refrains from involving in household chores and child care
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practice for fear of being labeled such as ‘Setaset’- Womenish in the community. Thus, men’s involvement in
household chores is very limited (fetching water, house maintenances etc.)
« Women have heavy workload compared to men : Women spend 15 - 19 hours in a day (compared to men’s 5 -
12 working hours) in household chores, in looking after children, and in assisting in their husbands farming
activities. As a result women of reproductive age do not have enough time for themselves to prepare and
consume nutritious diet (especially during their menstrual period and during their pregnancy), to attending
ANC/PNC, to breast feed their children and attend session to practice healthier diet food preparation and
consumption.
« Women are at the bottom of the food hierarchy : The gender norm, values and beliefs in the study areas also
detected food allocation and consumption in the household by stating that Since the man is the breadwinner
of house and exerts lots of energy in farm field, he should be given priority in the consumption of food
(healthier food). Woman and children should eat after the man (head of the household), otherwise they will
be labeled as ‘hodam’’- glutton or corpulent big eater. Thus less priority is given to women and girls in the
household in the amount and time of food consumption.
« Nutritious foods are expensive (particularly protein-rich animal-source foods and fresh fruits and
vegetables): men are often prioritized to consume them, leaving cereal based-less diversified food products
compared to women’s and girls’ consumption. Climatic stresses on agricultural production have particularly
made women vulnerable to food insecurity as they are reported to be at the bottom of the food hierarchy
especially limiting women from healthier diet consumption like exclusive breast feeding, complementary
feeding practice. Lack of private sectors that offer service and create access and affordability of healthier diet
in a sustainable manner is also noted as a barrier at household level.
« The different literatures reviewed showed that Ethiopia has a favourable policy environment for improving
diets and nutritional status: The National Food and Nutrition Policy (FDRE, 2018) with its strategies (FDRE,
2019) have been endoresed to promote a coordinated and comprehensive approach to food and nutrition
security and stresses the importance of access to nutritious foods. This includes: Seqota Declaration
Implementation Plan—aimed at ending under-nutrition by 2030 the Food System Transformation Goals; the
recent Food Based Dietary Guideline; the Food Fortification Strategies, school Health and Nutrition Strategies,
School Feeding Strategies, and the Maternal Multiple Micronutrient Program launched by the Minister of
Health. Women’s empowerment is one of the elements of the Food and Nutrition Policy (FDRE, 2018) and
strategies (FDRE, 2019) aimed at improving nutrition through agriculture in rural settings. Access to productive
resources such as land, agricultural inputs, extension services for female-headed households, training, etc., the
introduction of time and labor- saving technologies, male involvement in household care practices, and
women’s participation in household budgeting help to address gender inequality and promote year-round
consumption of healthy diet for women of reproductive age.
Household Decision Making
« Men have the upper hand in household decision making : The gender norms, values and beliefs that state:
Man is the head of the household; thus has the decision-making power in the household budgeting, and;
Women, boys and girls in the household should respect any decisions made by the male head of the
household detects household decision making process in the study areas. Relatively, women have more
decison making power regarding budgeting and food allocations in the household. Husbands make decisions in
spending household income to buy food and basic supplies and allocate food consumption although they have
to consult their men.
« Less preference for income expenditure on healthier diets in the study areas : Women in the community
decide how to use the products of backyard gardening of vegitables, poultry and poultry products etc.
However, they often sell these nutritious items (instead of using them for household consumption) to buy
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coffee, salt and processed low quality/less healthy oil for household consumption. In the target areas
participants noted that although they were informed by health extension workers about the importance of
healthier diet, due to the un-affordability and inaccessibility of such food items, they prefer to use their
income to buy coffee and salt (which is taken three times in a day) to gain energy and suppress their appetites.
Access to and Control over Productive assets
« Women have limited access to and control over productive assets such as land, livestock and farming
materials: Despite the existence of policy, strategy and implementation plan in the government sectors to
influence equal- collateral ownership/inheritance rights of women and men in terms of productive assets (i.e.
land, farming equipment, livestock, house etc.) to enable them to own productive assets; the Social norms,
beliefs and values such as Only men are capable and have the ability to manage and administer bigger
productive assets have delimited women’s access and control over productive assets in in terms of using for
the production, predation and consumption of healthier diets. Some women however have noted that they
have access to land and or livestock (such as backyard gardening of vegitables, poultry and eggs) to produce
healthier nutritious products for household.
« Food taboos commonly exist in the four studies areas : In addition to poverty, climatic shocks and droughts,
food taboos such as eating kidney and the heart of sheep, goat and cattle and drinking goat milk will make
one loss her/his teeth: eating stomach and intestine makes one heartless to maintaining relationship with
relatives have restricted women, men, girls and boys in the household to have access to diversified diet such
as protein-rich animal-source foods.
Access to Public Space and Services
« Women’s attendance of meetings and trainings is low : session on healtheir diets and women’s reproductive
rights Participants noted that the government from agricultural office and extension workers, gender and
nutritious experts provide training/sessions on healthier diets production, purchasing and consumption to
some extent. Health extension workers also provide trainings on choices including the option to use birth
control methods, and whether to give birth in a health facility or seek the assistance of a trained provider.
Women’s participation and attendance in these training session is limited due to heavy work load at household
level and due to social norms, values and beliefs that states: Women have to finish their household chores
before going outside to attend services or trainings, otherwise she will be ridiculed for abandoning her
house. Women have to also ask permission of their husband to go and attend such sessions as a sign of respect
and loyalty to the husband. Safety and security issues were also mention as reasons for women that restricts
their movement around public spaces to attend trainings/meetings and/or health services on ANC, family
planning and/or healthier food preparation.
Meaningful Participation in Public Decision Making
« Gender norms signify men’s leadership quality over women in public decision making : The gender norms,
beliefs and values in the study areas which state: Men have leadership quality over women; Women cannot
make decisions (lead) alone without the support of men, and; Women are not interested to participate in
public decision making govern interpersonal relations/power dynamics of women and men in the household
or community in regards to restricting women’s meaningful participation in public decision-making (i.e. in
Mahber, Eddir, Equb, community and Kebele meetings) in regards to services and sessions on health diet,
production, purchasing and consumption etc.
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« As a result of awareness raising activities some women are in recent times emerging in leadership position :
The National Food and Nutrition Policy and Strategies have emphasized in giving women greater voice in
decision-making at all levels are necessary for mainstreaming gender in agriculture and food security. In
additions due to awareness raising activities by government extension workers and NGOs some model women
are emerging in the study areas, in leadership positions in regards to services (running business, selling,
supplying etc) and sessions on healthier diet, production, purchasing and consumption etc. although their
number is small compared to men, the model women have been successful in leadership roles and in running
business equal to men which has inspired men women in the area. In recent time the community, husbands
and religious leaders are accepting and treating women and men equally in leadership position, especially if
the women has some form of education.
Control over one’s Body
« Women have limited/no control over their body : The persisting social norms, values and beliefs in the study
areas which state: As long as a woman is capable to give birth, she should continue giving birth; girls belong
to others (husband’s family); a girl should get married when she reached puberty, and; If a woman does not
have a child, she is worthless (her husband might leave her to another woman) have contributed to the
existence of early marriage; unplanned children birth and domestic violence in the household. Due to
awareness raising activities and implementation of gender equality rights and laws through the government
legal system and Office of Women and Social Affairs, the current rate of early marriage was reported to
decrease compared to earlier times however, in remote Kebeles early marriage remains to be practice in
secret.
« Norm holders decide and control over women’s body : In the study areas men, in-laws, parents, neighbours,
relatives, and religious/community leaders were found to be the norm holders who have control over
women/girls body and decisions on marital status, use of family planning methods etc contributing to the
nutritional status of women of reproductive age, infants and young children in the community.
Violence and Restorative Justice
« Community elders often monitor and influence violent behaviour in the household : In the study areas the
social norms that state: A woman should not access -social protection services without the permission of her
husband, in-laws and the elderly, and; Women should not takeout their house issues to the public to
demand justice for it benefits no one (will disgrace the family) determines how the community react when
survivors seek restorative justice in relation to their dietary rights. Women and men negotiate in regards to
their dietary rights to enable them avoid violence, or seek protection through the elderly in the community
(relatives who are often men) who often monitor and influence (i.e. prevent or support) violent behaviours in
the household, family or communities especially in relation to women’s dietary rights.
« Lack of proper diet among women leads to violence : Lack of proper diet of women of reproductive age and
children was found to lead to violence in the household and the community because they will be considered
weak and they will not have the physical ability and energy to protect themselves. Likewise as reported by
female participants, women survivors’ of gender based violence lack of proper diet contributes to their
physical ability and energy to seek justice and psychosocial services after being violated? Awareness raising
activities and establishing and sustaining functional social and legal protection and psychosocial services at
Kebele level will help in improving women’s dietary rights to enable them prevent and respond to violence.
Aspiration
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« In study areas, both women and men aspire to be resilient in the face of economic and environmental
changes and become economically independent to enable them live longer healthier life by securing their
dietary rights. However, there are many practical problems faced by men and women that dispute their
resilience such as poverty, draught, and climatic shocks, and have workload which were identified as the main
barriers to achieve a longer healthier life and secure their dietary rights.
« National Food and Nutrition policy, strategies and guidelines have set priorities and expectations in terms
gender inequality and promote year-round consumption of healthy diet for women of reproductive age;
planning to reduce the malnourished women rate by 12 to 17 percent, annually. Eliminating gender-based
discrimination under the law, ensuring gender-sensitive policies and programming decisions, and giving
women greater voice in decision-making at all levels are also incorporated as components for mainstreaming
gender in agriculture and food security interventions.
In conclusion, the most difficult challenges of women is labor and time consuming household chores, labor
intensive farming activities, lack of agricultural inputs and Lack of private sectors that provide diversified healthier
diets in affordable price. In addition, women’s greater challenge is related to be free from social norms that restrict
their rights to access trainings, productive assets, family planning, social protection services and their rights to
produce, acquire, prepare and consume healthier diets especially during pregnancy, and after child birth during
breast feeding.
Recommendations
· Provide trainings on various topics related to gender equality at the community level. The topics could
cover women's legal rights, gender equality and development nexus, assertiveness and leadership
trainings, and trainings on the importance and preparation of heather diets. Engage successful older
female and male as role models from the community to initiate their aspirations to transit to production,
preparation and consumption of healthier diets among women of reproductive age, infants and children.
· Provide assertiveness and life skill trainings to women so that they have the skill to engage in
communication that brings the positive result to their life in relation to production, preparation and
consumption of healthier diets;
· Provide financial and technical support that alleviates the problem related to traditional household chores
and farming. This could be done by facilitating for the provision of clean water and energy-saving
stoves/alternative energy (modern stoves, water wells), water pumps, tractors and other machineries;
· Conduct continuous community dialogue with norm holders such as men, parents, in-laws, religious
leaders and community elders by challenging the most of the deep rooted social norms outlined in rgis
study;
· Engage men throughout the gender action plan implementation and work with male role models in the
area to change the situation and condition of women in relation to production, preparation and
consumption of healthier diets. Hence, recognizing male role models in the community and devise a
method or identify periodical events to recognize and reward those male partners and siblings who are
willing to share the work burden at home, who fight against violence against women and actively engage
in such initiatives;
· Provide need-based trainings in the area of legal rights of women for experts so that they discharge their
responsibility with skill and knowledge in relation to production, preparation and consumption of
healthier diets;
· Strengthen coordination at government level in regards to involving different stakeholders (VSLA inputs,
Agricultural offices and extension workers, gender and nutritious staff) to provide training/sessions on
healthier diets production, purchasing and consumption etc;
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· Good to identify women rights advocates such as Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association - Amhara Branch
and others in the area and work together to decrease the incidents of GBV in the program
implementation;
· Create partnership with private sectors, cooperatives and government sectors - Confederation of
Ethiopian Trade Union (CETU) to avail diversified healthier diets for mothers of reproductive age, infants
and children, and;
· At government level, peace and security interventions (i.e. assinging peace and security militias at Kebele
level and conducting continious dialogues with opposition parties etc.) should be implemented to resolve
the rising conflicts in the area.
Background
South Gonder Zone is located in the Amhara regional state of Ethiopia with nine Woredas and has a total
population of 2,051,738, of whom 1,041,061 are men and 1,010,677 women, of whom 89 percent live in rural,
agricultural households (EPHA, 2019). Cereals account for more that 80 percent of cultivated land and 85 percent
of total crop production. The principal cereal crops in the Amhara region are teff, barley, wheat, maize, sorghum
and finger millet. Pulses and oil crops are the other major categories of field crops. In most of the Woredas it is
common to see rural households rearing cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry but is characterized by low productivity.
About 27.9 percent of the livestock in Ethiopia, 30.7 percent of the poultry, and 18.5 percent of the beehives are
found in the Amhara region, (FAO, 2019). South Gonder has nine Woredas of which Simada, Ebnat, Lay Gayint, Tach
Gayint and LiboKemkem are considered to have highly mulnurished women and children. Social and gender norms,
insufficient rainfalls, damaged crops by pests, rodents and hail storms have been indicated as the main causes of
women’s and children’s mulnutrituion.
In South Gonder Zone, in Ebinat Woreda (with a total population of of 220,177, of whom 112,151 are men and
108,026 women) studies noted that social and gender norms have significant impacts in women’s participation in
household decision making process in food production and consumption despite their active role in providing labor,
(Ayanew, 2021). Compared to men, women have immense workload in household and livelihood activities.
Women play a vital role in household chores, in looking after children, and in food production, food distribution,
and food utilization (Drucza, et. al., 2019). However, according to the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey in
2016, more than 30 percent of women do not make decisions regarding income, expenses and food allocations in
the household.
Futhermore, a study conducted in Lay Gayint (with a total population of 206,499, of whom 104,401 are men and
102,098 women) and Tach Gayint Woredas (with a total population of 101,956, of whom 51,041 are men and
50,915 women) has reported that harmful traditional practices in relation to early marraige and child bearing have
adverse effects on Ethiopian women health and diets. The study has revealed in these Woredas, due to the social
norms that signify ‘a girl should get married when she reaches puberty and bear as many children as she can’, men
do not allow women to use family planning methods leaving women to have an average number of 6 children per
household, (Getu and Alemayehu, 2018). The study has also indicated that over three-fourths of the women are
housewives who basically rely on the husbands income to prepare food for the family which is less than ETB
1000/month; indicating the existance of income shortage in the family in order to purchase and consume healthier
diets (Ibid). Similarly, in the Libo Kemkem Woreda of South Gonder Zone (with a total population of 198,435, of
whom 100,987 are men and 97,448 women), the social and gender norms that give priority to men/boys diets
over women/girls, have immense impact in household food distribution that impose on women and girls to eat last
and less compared to men and boys. In households with limited food resources, women are often at the bottom of
the food hierarchy, thus not consuming a balanced diet (Gedlu, 2016).
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Moreover, in South Gonder, unequal, gender-based resource distribution and unequal access to and control over
resources, unequal access to public spaces and decision making position, prevent women from adopting effective
strategies to prepare, adapt and respond to disasters and climate change (Ayanew, 2021). In Ebinat Woreda (in
South Gonder Zone), as a result of social norms that restrict women’s mobility to public places, women face
numerous obstacles to access productive inputs, assets and services; these obstacles not only heighten their
vulnerability to food insecurity, but also considerably reduce their contribution to overall agricultural production,
(Ibid). The study found out that despite majority of women in male headed households are part of the farm
production processes regardless of their health problems, level of education, and burdens in the domestic tasks,
the social norms that favor men in regards to access and control over resource, have further deprived women from
access to land, financial services, and technology, making women (especially women in female headed households)
vulnerable to food insecurity, (Ibid).
Other studies conducted in South Gonder Zone indicated that the problem is further compounded by cultural
beliefs, food taboos, and traditional cooking and feeding practices, which tend to discourage women and children
from consuming nutritious foods (Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia - FDRE, 2019). Religious practices of
fasting extensively in both Muslim and Christian households further impact the health status of women as mothers
and producers, (Njuguns et. al., 2016). Furthermore, women are encouraged to avoid protein during pregnancy for
fearing of giving birth to a big baby which causes difficulty in childbirth. In addition, cultural cooking and feeding
practice tend to discourage women and children from consuming nutritious food, (FDRE, 2019). Since nutritious
foods are expensive, (particularly protein-rich animal-source foods and fresh fruits and vegetables) only men have
the privilege to consume them, leaving cereal based-less diversified food products to women and girls
consumption, (FAO, 2019).
Ethiopia has a favourable policy environment for improving diets and nutritional status including the recent
National Food and Nutrition Policy(FDRE, 2018) with its strategies(FDRE, 2019) that promotes a coordinated and
comprehensive approach to food and nutrition security and stresses the importance of access to nutritious foods;
the Seqota Declaration Implementation Plan—aimed at ending under-nutrition by 2030; the Food System
Transformation Goals; the recent Food Based Dietary Guideline(FNDG); the Food Fortification Strategies, school
Health and Nutrition Strategies, School Feeding Strategies, and the Maternal Multiple Micronutrient Program
launched by the Minister of Health.
Women’s empowerment is one of the elements of the Food and Nutrition Policy (FDRE, 2018) and strategies (FDRE,
2019) aimed at improving nutrition through agriculture in rural settings. Access to productive resources such as
land, agricultural inputs, extension services for female-headed households, training, etc., the introduction of time
and labor- saving technologies, male involvement in household care practices, and women’s participation in
household budgeting are some of the approaches indicated in the above policy, strategies and guidelines to
address gender inequality and promote year-round consumption of healthy diet for women of reproductive age.
Empowering women and girls is not just necessary for their well-being, but also a means to broader agricultural
development and food security, and it is economically sound. Studies (FAO, 2019; World Bank, 2019; Njuguns et.
al., 2016) show that, if women farmers were given the same access to resources (such as land, finance and
technology) as men, their agricultural yields could increase by 20 to 30 percent; national agricultural output could
rise by 2.5 to 4 percent; and the number of malnourished people could be reduced by 12 to 17 percent. Eliminating
gender-based discrimination under the law, ensuring gender-sensitive policies and programming decisions, and
giving women greater voice in decision-making at all levels are necessary for mainstreaming gender in agriculture
and food security.
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CASCADE plans to increase access to and consumption of healthy diets and increase the resilience to price and
climate change related shocks and stresses among household members particularly women in reproductive age
and children. CASCADE projects, addressing gender in nutrition is critical, as addressing gender inequalities can
result in larger improvements in malnutrition than if gender inequalities are not tackled. Without addressing the
core issue of gender (i.e. decision making, access to resources, power), the project may not make as much progress
as is needed to improve nutrition. Addressing gender inequalities can help put an end to intergenerational
malnutrition. Hence, as part of formative assessment, it is essential to integrate a gender lens in the work.
Therefore, this participatory gender analysis was undertaken to assess the intergenerational malnutrition issues
through gender lens in the project area – in Amhara region where the highest level of stunting and micronutrient
deficiencies is recorded (in Ethiopia).
Overview of the Project
CARE Ethiopia in collaboration with the government of Ethiopia, in partnership with Global Alliance for Improved
Nutrition (GAIN) and with funding from Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is implementing a project entitled
CASCADE, short for Catalyzing Strengthened policy aCtion for healthy Diets and resilience. CARE is implementing
CASCADE project in Ethiopia as one of six CASCADE implementation countries of Africa.
This is a four-and half-year project designed with the aim to increase access to and consumption of healthy diets
and to increase the resilience of households to economic and climate change-related shocks with a focus on
women of reproductive age and children in South Gonder Zone of Amhara region. By 2026, CASCADE will reach
about 264,636 women or reproductive age group, children 2-14 years and children under the age of two.
The project will be implemented at all levels from the national to the lowest administration unit of south Gonder
Zone of Amhara regions. GAIN will support the project directly at national, regional and zonal level. CARE Ethiopia
implements the project at Zonal, Woreda and Kebele level with light engagement at regional and national level.
South Gonder zone of Amhara region has a total of 14 Woredas and --- Kebeles with total population 2,685,657.
The CASCADE project plans to work intensively within 60 Kebeles of four Woredas of South Gonder Zone of
Amhara region.
CASCADE project has five different domains. These are:

D1. Government bodies effectively implementing nutrition related policies promoting year-round consumption of
healthy diets, particularly from women of reproductive age;
D2. Private Service providers offer accessible and affordable products and services, promoting year-round
consumption of healthy diet, particularly for women of reproductive age;
D3. Community members, advocates and government service providers are drivers of change that positively
influence the implementation of nutrition related policies and practices;
D4. Empowered women have increase knowledge, skills and resources to produce, acquire, prepare and consume
healthy diets for themselves and their children, and;
D5. Strengthened coordination and linkages among food system actors and processes.
As parts of the formative assessments this gender analyses was undertaken in the target areas (in Amhara region
where the highest level of stunting and micronutrient deficiencies is recorded - in Ethiopia) to assess the condition
before the project implementation to set targets and to be able to assess the project progress and contribution to
outcome level results.
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Objective of the Gender Analysis
General objective
Undertake a Gender Analysis – to understand the gender dynamics in healthier food consumption nutrition,
health, resilience, and social dynamics in selected woredas of South Gonder zone of Amhara region of CASCADE
project implementation area.
The gender analysis was focused on the community level and presented evidence of the different roles, attitudes
and behaviours of women and girls and boys related to healthier food diet, nutrition, resilience and social dynamics
as they relate to the needs and responsibilities in the project area.
Specific Objectives:
· Capture feedback from community groups, community leaders and CBOs on the extent to which gender
and nutrition policies are implemented (among relevant government institutions at federal, Amhara
region, South Gonder Zone and lower tiers) including identifying gaps
· Pinpoint strongly held socio-cultural norms and gender norms around nutritious diet consumption
affecting women of reproductive age and children under 14;
· Identify the gender and social norms and how they affect women’s economic empowerment and their
participation in decision making;
· Provide recommendation on how to engage men in challenging discriminatory gender norms that impact
on nutrition and diets;
· Propose ways on how to engage norm holders to be supportive of women's rights, aspirations and
advancements resulting in increased income and agency for women farmers, and;
· Propose a concise set of indicators that emanate from the gender analysis to serve as markers of progress
for the project’s gender objectives and to address Gender Equality Marker (GEM).
Scope of the Gender Analysis
The Gender analysis aims to systematically identify key issues contributing to gender inequalities related to
healthier diets and nutrition, and resilience of key project targeted beneficiaries.
Theoretical Framework
CARE’s Gender Equality Framework and Good Practice Framework on gender analysis served as a guiding
framework for this gender analysis study.
CARE's Gender Equality Framework is a transformative approach which seeks to move beyond technical and
surface-level approaches to gender equality. The framework aims to: 1) Build Agency of vulnerable women (as well
as other vulnerable members of their household), 2) Change Relations and community social norms and traditions
that uphold gender inequality and 3) Transform Structures (including laws, policies and institutions) to be more
gender equitable. The Framework focuses on three different levels of change: individual household change,
community level change and structural (political/legal) change.
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Figure 1. CARE’s Gender Equality Framework
Furthermore, CARE’s Gender Analysis Framework was used to bring critical gender-specific information to the
analysis. The toolkit uses a set of proprietary, participatory tools to investigate eight core areas of inquiry (adapted
to suit context and areas of focus aligning to the projects focus and objectives) related to women’s needs,
interests, challenges and barriers (see Figure 2. above). Operationally, focus group discussions (FGDs), key
informant interviews (KIIs), and other participatory exercises with community and government members has
helped to identify, analyze and examine gendered vulnerabilities and underlying socio-cultural, legal and
institutional practices that affect women’s rights. The Gender Analysis Framework has also explored the gendered
power relations between men and women, their access to resources, their priorities, needs, activities and
constraints that they face in relation to each other and identified potential risks to program implementation in
relation to household and community gender dynamics, (i.e., factors that may influence women’s ability and
willingness to benefit from and contribute to program activities).
Figure 2.CARE’s Core Areas of Inquiry for Gender Analysis
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CARE’s Core Areas of Inquiry for Gender Analysis was used to systematically identify key gender issues contributing
to gender inequalities among CASCADE participants. This framework outlines three key phases of gender analysis
to explore gender dynamics from broader to local contexts: A. Preliminary Foundations: the broader context in
which to ground our understanding of gender relations. B. Core Areas of Inquiry for Gender Analysis: key issue
areas to probe for a deeper understanding of the characteristics and conditions of gender relations. Each area of
inquiry cuts across CARE’s Gender empowerment domains of: agency, structures and relations. C. Applying gender
analysis to programming: the identification of key strategic gender issues and practical rights that emerge from a
gender analysis. In this phase of analysis, the assessment has examined both the key immediate rights that affect
women’s conditions (practical rights) as well as the needed transformation in structures and relations to pursue
gender equality (strategic interests).
Research questions that focus on the eight core areas of inquiry such as gendered division of labour, household
decision making, access to and control over productive assets, access to public spaces and services, claiming rights
and meaningful participation in public decision making, control over one’s body, violence and restorative justice
and aspiration for oneself were used to outline norms, values, attitudes and behaviours related to gender and
power dynamics as it relates to gender inequalities.
All the eight areas of inquiry were assessed across the three domains of CARE’s Gender Equality Framework:
Building Agency, Change Relations and Transforming Structures. Identification of key indicators per agency,
relations and structures were conducted as the first step to the progress markers identification process. After
understanding the status of women, and in households, communities and institutions, gender dynamics and trends
in society, the Gender Equality Framework were used to analysis and define indicators in regards to:
· Building Agency
o Increasing knowledge, skills and resources women to enable them produce, acquire, prepare
and consume healthy diets for themselves and their children
· Change relations
o Improving ability of communities to enable them change/transform unequal power relations of
women and men in the household (i.e. decision making, access and control over resources) and
in the community arena (i.e. equal and meaningful participation in community activities,
trainings and leadership) to improve year-round consumption of healthy diet, particularly for
women of reproductive age
· Transforming Structure
o Changing discriminatory social and gender norms in the communities, and strengthening systems
for gender integration in the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Minstry of Health (MoH), Ministry of
Education (MoE), Ministry of Women and Social Affairs (MoWSA), and Ministry of Trade and
Market Management (at Regional/Zonal/Woreda and Kebele level structures in Amhara region)
to positively influence the implementation of nutrition related policies and practices.
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METHODOLOGY
Study Design: A qualitative study approach was used for gender analysis. The Gender Analysis employed a primary
data collection method. The primary data collection was completed between May 09- 25, 2023 in in South Gonder
Zone.
Study Area: The study was conducted in four Woredas of South Gonder Zone namely Lubokemkem, Ebinat, Lay
Gayint and Tach Gayint. From each Woreda 3 Kebeles were selected (12 Kebeles in total). The selected Kebeles in
each Woreda were purposively sampled for the Kebeles have relatively high number of project participants (as
included in theCASCADE project) which were included in the project’s selection criteria. Therefore, actual project
participants and government officials/religious leaders/representatives from private sectors for KIIs were selected
from the Kebeles without the need for conducting Social Mapping. However, it was not intended to suggest that
each Kebele in the respective Woreda was homogeneous, nor that the results of the FGDs were representative of
the Woreda as a whole. However, the findings can offer important indications of social norms, values, attitudes
and behaviors related to gender and power dynamics as it relates to gender inequalities.
Sampling Method: Purposive sampling was employed to select relevant FGD participants, key informants and
women for in-depth interviews (IDI). Four types of groups namely women in male headed household, women in
female headed household, men only groups and mixed (men and women) groups were selected using the sampling
approach. Extreme case sampling method was used to select women in female headed household and women in
male headed household for in-depth interview (especially those women who have the skills and knowledge needed
to produce and consume healthy diets for themselves and their childre. Expert sampling method was used to select
community leaders/religious leaders, local leader representatives from Key project stakeholders’ offices (health,
agriculture, education, women and social affairs, and trade and market development) at regional, zonal, Woreda
and Kebele level and private sectors.
A total of 16 FGDs were conducted among women in men headed household, women in female headed
households, men only, and mixed groups of men/boys and women/girls, respectively. In addition, a total of 54 KII’s
were conducted with community/religious/ local leaders, key representatives from government sectors (BoA,
BoWSA, BoE, Health Bureau, Trade and Market Development Bureau) and private sectors (cooperatives, Business
Women Association and Chamber of Commerce) at Woreda, Zonal and Regional level. In-depth interviews were
conducted with 5 model women who directly or in-directly were successful in the production, acquisition,
preparation and consumption of healthy diets for themselves and their children. CARE gender analysis tools
adapted and used in the study which was: Seasonal Calendar, Daily Time Use, Community, Social and Resource
Mapping, Intra-household Decision Making, GBV Problem Tree tool, Venn Diagram, Access and Control Profile tool,
Pile Sort tool, in-depth interview guide and Key Informants Interview Guide.
The data collected by these tools were used to systematically identify key gender issues contributing to gender
inequalities related to healthier diets and nutrition, and resilience among project participants. In addition, the
research team triangulated data from across conversations by identifying the most prevalent gender norms social
norms in South Gonder Zone (in 4 Woredas) around nutritious diet consumption affecting women of reproductive
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age and children under 14; and how they affect women's economic empowerment and their participation in
decision making for further analysis and social norm intervention.
Ethical Considerations: Prior to conducting the FGDs and IDIs, participants were informed about the research and
all have signed an informant consent form that reasonably ensured participants understanding of the
purpose/intent of the research, their participation, and how the information provided in the tools would be used.
In addition, in the FGDs and IDIs, the do no harm approach was used when conducting the discussion with the
participants and the area has been cleaned and all the flip charts and refreshments’ left over have been collected.
Limitations & Delimitations: Due to time and budget limitations, only qualitative research method was used for
this gender analysis. Although private sectors (cooperatives, Business Women Association and Chamber of
Commerce) were included in the study, private food production and distribution service providers were not
included in the study due to their unavailability in the area. Furthermore, an in-depth interview was conducted
with only five model women due to data saturation.
Core Areas of Inquiry for Gender Analysis

This section discusses key gender issues and norms that are contributing to gender inequalities related to healthier
diets and nutrition, and resilience among project participants. Result of each area of inquiry of South Gonder Zone
(Libokemkem, Ebinat, Lay Gayint and Tach Gayint) is presented in line with CARE’s three gender equality change
domains: Agency, Relation and Structures.
Area of inquiry 1: Sexual/gendered division of labor

Gendered social norms and values often govern division of labor of men’s and women’s perception of their gender
roles and values regarding household work and livelihood activities (including community’s role) in regards to
production, acquisition and preparation of food - healthier diets. According to the findings from the FGD, KII and
IDI participants, the major gender norms that determine division of labor of men and women in the four Woredas
of South Gonder Zone are listed below.
Gender Norms: Division of Labor

Gender 1 Household chores (such as looking after the children and feeding family members) are the responsibilities of women
Norms, and livelihood activities are the responsibilities of men.
Beliefs, 2 If a man engages in “women’s work’’ (such as looking after the children and feeding family members) he will not be
Values respected and will be called ‘Setaset’ - Woman-ish.
Structure: In the four Woredas of South Gonder Zone the above stated norms, values and beliefs have substantial
implications on opportunities, choices, time, mobility and social support of men and women, girls, and boys. In all
localities, as listed in the above table, there is a social norm and belief that implicitly states: ‘household chores are
responsibilities given to women’and ‘livelihood activities are responsibilities given to men’. Men are expected to
engage in livelihood activities such as ploughing, cultivating, harvesting and selling cereals etc. Women on the
other hand are mostly expected to engage in cooking, cleaning the house and compound, looking after children,
caring for animals at home and further providing assistance to men in the farm field in land preparation, weeding,
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fertilizing and harvesting activities. Men on the other hand, do not often participate in household chores beyond
construction and maintenance of house structures, looking after cattle and/or collecting firewood: as local customs
discourage them to do so for they might be called as ‘Setaset’– meaning ‘womanish/girlish’ or a man with a female
reproductive organ’. Due to such labeling, some women discourage men’s to participate in household chores for
fear of gossips from community members. According to a religious leader in Libokemkem Woreda, men and boys
are afraid of getting near to the cooking area to bring already prepared food for their own consumptions due to
fear of such labeling.
In all four Woredas of South Gonder Zone, the perception, attitude and responses of the community in regards to
food allocation and consumption were found to be similar. According to female FGD participant in Ebinat Woreda,
men are given priority in the consumption of any kind of food prepared in the household. There is a common social
norm that states: ‘Since the man is the breadwinner of house and exerts lots of energy in farm field, he should
be given priority in the consumption of food (healthier food)’. In most of the households of the targeted areas,
men, women and children have limited dietary choices for consumption (Injera with peas/beans wot) due to
economic and climatic related shocks and draughts. According to male and female FGD participants in Lay-Gayint
Woreda, whatever kind of food prepared in the house (whether highly nutritious food such as animal protein or
normal ordinary food) the best ones are provided to men, and only what is left, is given to women and children.
Furthermore, although some FGD participants in Tach Gayint Woreda noted feeding infants and young children as
needed (in any given time), most participants in the four Woredas noted a social norm that ‘Woman and children
are expected eat after the man (head of the household), otherwise they will be labled as ‘hodam’’- glutton or
corpulent big eater’ by family members, neighbors and community leaders (religious leaders).
In Ethiopia, Food and Nutrition Policy (FDRE, 2018) and strategies (FDRE, 2019) exist at government sectors to
reduce women’s workload and address women’s and children’s dietary choices/needs and consumptions. Access to
productive resources such as land, agricultural inputs, extension services, the introduction of time and labor- saving
technologies, male involvement in household care practices, and women’s participation in household budgeting are
some of the approaches indicated in the policy and strategy to address gender inequality and promote year-round
consumption of healthy diet for women of reproductive age.
According to most key informant interviews from the agriculture, health, education, and women and social affairs
huge gaps were reported in the implementation of the strategies in regards to lack of ownership for gender
integration, lack of gender integration in the ministries and inadequate coordination and collaboration among the
different government sectors. In addition, key informants from Trade and market development offices, Chamber of
Commerce and Cooperatives noted that there is no public-private partnership forum that is dedicated solely to
safety, accessibility and affordability healthier diets in sustainable manner. The key informants further noted that
this was mainly due to inadequate commitment, a lack of strong and suitable governance structures, lack of
budget and the inadequate mainstreaming of nutrition into relevant sectoral policies, strategies, programs, and
operational plans.
However, some of the participants have noted that the agriculture and extension programs have been providing
awareness raising activities to the community in regards to health diet and nutrition. Female FGD participants in
Libokemkim and Ebinat noted that sometimes extension workers teaches women and men in the locality on
healthy diets and nutrition on selecting better nutritious seeds by demonstrating on how to produce and prepare
healthier diets. However, the frequency of the awareness programs is less than the desired.
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Agency: In the four Woredas of the South Gonder Regoin, women spend 15 - 19 hours in household chores such as
taking care of children, cleaning, cooking, taking care of the elderly and sick etc, while men have very limited role, if
any. Women spend a significant amount of time traveling long distances to fetch clean water, which takes time
away from other home tasks. In some areas, there is positive change towards increased male participation in some
chores such as bringing firewood from long distances, and fetching water. Focus group discussions with women in
Libokemkim and Ebinat revealed women’s triple work burden because of their domestic, reproductive, productive
and community roles. Women in the Woredas have also voiced similar complaints about their work burden and
lack of sufficient time to for themselves to prepare and consume nutritious diet (especially during their menstrual
period and during their pregnancy), to attending ANC/PNC, to breast feed their children and attend session to
practice healthier diet food preparation and consumption. Women FGD participants in Ebinat and Lay-Gaynt
Woredas noted that there are some changes in regards to having sometime for themselves after they give birth to
rest, consume food and breast-feed their children the duration is short due to workload (for about ten days after
giving birth). After the ten resting days, women will return back to their routine in providing household chores,
child care and providing assistance in men’s farming activities. An FGD female participant in Lay-Gaynt Woreda
indicated this as follows:
“When a women reaches the time to give birth she prepares food for herself and the family
( different forms of cereals and legumes needed to make porridges). After she gives birth she will
have time to rest, consume the porridges and breast feed the child for ten days. Her mother,
mother-in-law and neighbors support her in household chores during this time... However, after
ten days she will return back to her routine (household chores, child care and supporting in her
husbands farming activities).”
Within women groups, women in female headed households (WFHHs) have more work burden than that of
women in male headed households (MHHs) especially during peak sowing seasons. They also reported that they
have more work burden than their mothers’ generation since they used to assist their mothers in household
activities during their childhood until they got married and establish their own house since it was not common to
send female children to school during their generation; whereas their female children are not assisting them (that
much) in household activities since they are attending school. Moreover, in all localities compared with WMHHs in
the same locality, WFHHs have more responsibilities in horticultural-agricultural activities.
Relations:In the four Woredas, men and women FGD participants indicated that although there has been some
changes in regards to men’s level of engagement in household chores, often they do not want to be seen by the
community in doing so for they will be called ‘Sitaset’’- womenish.
Pertaining to changes in men’s roles, a female FGD participant in Tach-Gaynt Woreda said,
“The attitude towards what women ‘should and; should not do’ is improving. In the past there
were men who used to sit idle, while their wife get up from breastfeeding to collect the cattle in to
the yarn. But nowadays, some men help by fetching water, even though there are many who still
regard that as women’s job.”
Similarly, men have started participating in some cooking activities (Libokemkim Woreda), which is a major shift. In
Libokemkim Woreda, some young educated women among MHHs reported that their husbands used to assist
them in some domestic activities such as cooking wot (sauce) and boiling coffee by using electric stove However,
these are unique cases, and in most of the communities visited women continue to shoulder the bulk of
reproductive activities often supported by girls. Compared to men, boys are now-a-days involving in household care
practice (looking after children), in preparing food for themselves and for household consumption. A female FGD
participant in Tach-Gaynt Woreda illustrated this as follows:
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“Before, only girls were assisting us with household chores. The boys were not helping us even if
we ask them to fetch water, clean the house, wash clothes or look after their siblings. Now-a-days
when our husbands see us burdened with household work, they order the boys to help us. The
boys obey to them and they are now sometimes helping us in the preparation of food.“
In the four Woredas of the study consumption of healthier diet is not a common thing. In most of the households
of the targeted areas, men, women and children have limited dietary choices for consumption (Injera with
peas/beans wot) due to economic and climatic related shocks and draughts. During food insecure season (June -
September), households survive by using different strategies. In Sidama Region, women assisted by children (often
girls) - are also expected to carry out activities that are ‘suitable’ and assigned for them such as cultivating and
selling lower value items such as eggs, chicken, butter, vegetables, spices and Khat to enable the household to
survive during times of scarcity. Women and men participants see these seasons as difficult times in which they
have to see what they have in order to survive these difficult times.
In Lay Gayint Woreda, male FGD participants indicated that they (men) are much burdened during this time as a
breadwinner of their households. They indicated that they survive these times by borrowing money from
neighbors (sometimes with interest), sell oxen, sheep, goat or cut and sell their trees. Both women and men find it
frustrating to sell big household items such as farm land, trees or bigger livestock, and often consider it as a last
resort to survive the difficult times. However, the community members support each other during difficult times by
sharing resources (through borrowing and lending approach) to avoid selling bigger household items.
Furthermore, during dry season families in the target area often face food shortage. As a result as indicated by FGD
participants they survive this season by cutting off the amount and frequency of food consumption (per day). Based
on the amount of food available in the house, the husband gets served first and then children; women eat last or
not eat at all. Women are often at the bottom of the food hierarchy.
Implication on Healthier Diet Consumptions (Women and Children)
The finding of the study has revealed that the gender norms regarding division of labour have substantial
implications on women’s preparation, acquisition and consumption of healthier diet.
According to Women and men FGD participants in the target areas women’s workload has significant effect on the
healthier diet production, purchase and consumption at household level. As a result of triple work load of women,
there has been no significant changes in food intake habits. Women engage in almost all farming activities except
plaughing, because of restricting customs. Women face additional time and work burdens with all domestic and
reproductive duties. Women work long hours—15 to 19 hours a day compared to 5 to 13 hours a day for men,
depending on on-farm/off-farm labor demands over the year. For women and men, daily activities vary by daily
routine and by season.
Women and men in the FGDs and IDIs have also noted the resources needed to reduce women’s workload.
Participants in the study areas noted to give priority to strategies that reduce the workload of women, such as
promotion of fuel saving stoves, water pumps, wells, solar light and climate sensitive solar powered mills, while
enhancing production and consumption of healthier diets at household level. As literature shows (Drucza, et. al.,
2019), “an immediate starting point for gender equality would be a more equitable sharing of the daily household
workload between men and women, and girls and boys… Equality could also be fostered by providing women and
girls with appropriate technology that could reduce their work burden. For instance, providing women with
renewable energy and running tap water for household use.”
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Area of Inquiry-2: Household decision-making
The assessment shows, in general, while women’s involvement in household decision making has improved
relatively, core decision making power ultimately rests with men.
Structures: In all localities the household norms and community expectations in terms of decision-making
processes are found to be similar as outlined in the table below.
Gender Norms: Household Decision Making

Gender 1 Man is the head of the household; thus has the decision-making power in the household budgeting
Norms,
Beliefs, 2 Women, boys and girls in the household should respect any decisions made by the man, head of the household
Values
In all target areas, the patriarchal household decision making processes still persist governed by the social norms
and customs set by community elders (traditional laws holders) and religious leaders found in the area. Although
the Food and Nutrition Policy and Strategies has planned to enhance women participation in household budgeting
to promote year-round healthier diet consumption for women of reproductive age, limited activities were
undertaken in the respective study areas. In regards to household budgeting, the man still holds the decision
making power as he is “the head of the household.”
Agency: Majority of male and female FGD participants in the target areas reported that decisions about household
budgeting and spending (to buy food) are usually made jointly. However, most female participants noted the
decisions are male dominated. Specific to the major livelihood activities, participants of the study revealed that
men have an upper hand in deciding: rearing livestock, preparation of land, what crops to grow, when to plant and
what to plant; women have an upper hand in deciding on egg and poultry commodities, when to cook and what to
eat, to make local beverages, to buy food, child’s medical treatment; and both men and women have equal
decision making power in feeding animals, and milking, when to sell food crop, when to sell vegetables, to buy
clothes, to buy/sell livestock, child’s schooling, money-saving.
However, WFHHs and WMHHs (including educated women farmers) can make decisions about how and when they
do household activities since household activities are mainly performed by women in all the studied communities.
However, there are variations in women’s decision making power on livelihood and other issues across women
groups and study sites. In all study communities, WMHHs (including educated woman farmers) can make some
decisions such as about how and when they do livelihood activities, income and expenditures, family planning,
children’s education and their mobility to attend trainings/meetings in consultation with their husbands. However,
WFHHs can make decisions on the above mentioned issues (except family planning which is not relevant for them)
by themselves if there are no grown-up children living with them or by informing and consulting their grown-up
children, mainly sons if they live with them.
Educated and model woman farmers in MHHs in Libokemkim and Ebinat indicated that they can make decisions on
their access to and use of extension services, agricultural inputs and production technologies, and marketing
infrastructure to improve the production, sells, purchase, and consumption of healthier diets in consultation with
their husbands. The model married woman in Tach Gayint Woreda indicated that they are also to producing
healthier food items (such as vegitables, poultry, eegs etc) and decide on the income they gain from selling this
items.
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In general, WMHHs (except model women farmers) can only make decisions about household activities and
kitchen utensils by themselves, whereas their husbands can make important household decisions such as selling
cattle without informing or consulting their wives because of the deep-rooted gendered social norms related to
household decision making and other issues. Based on the household budget (set by the husband), most
participants of the study revealed that women decide food purchase and allocation for household members
consumption. Furthermore, women often make decision in regards to income and use of product of backyard
gardening such as poultry and poultry products.
Relation: According to FGD and IDI participants in Libokemkem and Lay-Gaynt Woredas, men and women in the
household often discuss and decide jointly on income and product (from their farm) allocation and expenditure on
food consumption of the household, although men have the upper hand in the final decision. However, despite the
existence of variety of food items in the household (poultry, egg, milk and milk products) and in the market, most
participants in the target areas indicated there is less preference for consumption and income expenditure of
healthier diet. Most female and male participant in the target area noted that due to poverty consumption of
healthier diet is nearly non-existent. Households with poultry, egg, milk and milk products often sell these items to
buy coffee, salt and oil for household consumption. Although some participants noted feeding egg to their young
children at times, most female participants noted selling these products to buy coffee, salt and oil (less healthy and
expensive) for household consumption.
Male FGD participants in Ebinat Woreda noted that sometimes disagreement arises among men and women in
regards to income allocation and expenditure of food consumption in the household. The main causes of conflict
that were mentioned by participants revolve around using household products (grains, poultry, eggs and milk
products for household consumption). An FGD male participant stated:
”During dry season, sometimes women who have no food items at home will use the small
amount grains (saved as seed for next farming) left at home for household consumption. When
the husband finds out conflict arises”
Such disagreements are often solved and negotiated through discussion between men and women. Often women
used to be considered guilty and reminded to accept what their husbands decide on domestic matters. These have
been affecting women’s relation and their rights to make decisions. But today there is change; both men and
women decide in most of the household related issues together by negotiation and discussion. Including CARE’s
program, key stakeholders/institutions such as relevant government offices have noted that they have planned
awareness raising interventions in relation to these groups goals and actions to promote equality in household
decision making processes.
The finding of the study has revealed that the gender norms regarding household decision making process have
substantial implications on women’s preparation, acquisition and consumption of healthier diet.
Although many of the participants signified that both women and men make decisions jointly, women often have
limited decision power in regards to household budgeting to purchase food items. Furthermore, although there
has been some changes, the social norms in both localities discourages women to voice their opinions and raise
issues and propose alternatives to the decisions made by men in these regards.
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Consequently, this have left women with the lack of competencies in regards to negotiation, financial and other life
skills (i.e. lacking confidence and aspiration) have limited their influence on household decisions and consequently
the consumption of healthier diets, if the husband’s decision is limiting.
Area of Inquiry-3: Control over Productive Assets

The study also assessed the norms, beliefs, values and attitude around control over and
benefits from productive assets among men and women and its implication to gender inequality.
Gender Norms: Control over productive assets

Gender 1 A woman should not use or decide on productive assets such as farming materials, land and livestock without
Norms, consulting her husband
Beliefs, 2 Women do not have the interest or the ability to control productive assets
Values 3 A woman controls over productive assets, if there is no male in the household through a support of a male
relative/neighbour or hired labourer
4 Only men are capable and have the ability to manage and administer bigger productive assets
Structures: Though slow change is observed, most of the informants agreed that the existing cultural norms,
systems, and patterns over control of productivity still favors men as compared to women. Instead, they said that
women and men have distinct but complementary roles and tasks in agriculture and livestock production, off-farm
activities but most participants noted that a woman is not allowed to use or decide on productive assets such as
farming materials, land and livestock without consulting her husband . In Libokemkem Woreda informant noted
that the belief that ”women do not have the interest or the ability to control productive assets, is initiated
because women are mostly responsible for all domestic and reproductive duties, which has in-return restricted
their capabilities to use and control productive assets
In Ebinat Woreda, female participants however, noted that there is a social norm that implies: ‘a woman can have
the controls over productive activities, if there is no male in the household’. It was also noted that women who
have the opportunity to control over the productive assets, often use male children, relatives and/or hire waged
labors to work on their farm lands or productive assets to generate income for the family. Although access to
agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, seed and credit is open for men and women, the social norm that states:
‘Only men are capable and have the ability to manage and administer bigger productive assets’ has created
misconceptions about women’s capacity to manage resources such as fertilizers, seeds, pesticides and credit and
return loans. But according to women participants in female headed household, they indicated that they have full
control over the household’s resources including productive assets such as farm lands (including Khat farm) and
livestock after the death of her husband. One FGD women participant in FHH noted: “my decision-making power
within my household increased after the death of my husband since I am the sole decision-maker as the head of my
household.”
Although the National Family Law/code and land ownership laws/certification clearly stated spousal equality in
household property administration and land ownership, the persisting social norms, in most of the localities
sometimes deny women’s access to household and land property assets during divorce and death of a spouse.
However, Key informant from Libokemekm Woreda noted that now-a-days women are coming forward to the
legal system demanding justice to access household and land property assets during divorce and death of a
spouse. In Ebinat Woreda, a woman participant in FHH indicated that they were able to legally secure the
ownership of farmland, house, livestock and farming materials. Most of WFHH further noted that they often hire
male laborers to make use of the farming materials and the farming land to produce various kinds of food items.
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Agency: This study reveals that women have limited access to and control over resources compared to men in
almost all the target areas, Though, there has been some change in women’s level of access and control over
resources, their control is mostly limited to small productive assets, such as poultry and poultry products,
vegetables and fruits. Men on the other hand, have control over big assets like land, big livestock, farming materials
and large farm-related production that are regarded as their expensive belongings. Women have access to and
control over backyard gardening to raise poultry, poultry products and produce vegetable such as cabbage, potato
and onions. Although women produce such healthier nutritious products in the backyard, they often sell them
(instead of household consumption) to gain income to buy coffee, salt and oil, in return. Women also use their
limited resource to provide food for the elderly, bed-ridden persons and individuals with disabilities residing in the
household. WFHHs (who have children) have access to and control over productive assets mainly during the death
of their husbands and they can make decisions about how to use their agricultural land or about
renting/contracting it and selling animals in consultation with their grown-up male children. However, women who
have no children during the death of their husbands do not have such rights. WMHHs can not have access to and
control over productive assets without the permission of their husbands.
.
Relation: Cereals account for more that 80 percent of cultivated land and 85 percent of total crop production. The
principal cereal crops in the Amhara region are teff, barley, wheat, maize, sorghum and finger millet. Pulses and oil
crops are the other major categories of field crops. In most of the Woredas it is common to see rural households
rearing cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry but is characterized by low productivity.
According to participants in all Woredas, women, men and children in the household have limited access to clean
water and diversified diets such as protein-rich animal- source foods, fresh fruits and vegetables. Despite the
existence of such food items in the area as a result of food taboo, poverty and climatic shocks most participants
noted that consumption of diversified healthier diets is non-existent in many of the household.
According to male and female FGD participants in Libokemkem, Lay-Gaynt and Ebinat areas animal part such as
heart and kidney are not to be consumed for there is an intergenerational believe that if they consume heart and
kidney their teeth will fall out. Similarly in Lay-Gaynt Woreda Women FGD participants noted that in their
community, it has become a taboo to consume animal stomach and intestine, for there is a growing belief that
consuming such items have made them less sensitive to maintain relationship with their relatives. It is also
uncommon to see families who consume goat milk as it is also associated with falling out of teeth; although
consumption of goat milk is not most common in this areas. However, in Tach-Gayint area most of the above
forbidden food items can be eaten but due to poverty and climatic shocks household members have very limited
access to such food items. These food taboos persist among the community members, despite awareness activities
provided by government health extension programs and some NGOs .
In regards to fruits and vegetables, although some female participants in Tach-Gayint and Ebinat Woreda noted
consumption of vegetables (such as cabbage from their backyard garden) in their areas, vegetables are not
consumed regularly; rather they are sold to gain income to buy coffee, salt and oil. Although available in the
market and awareness raising activities undertaken by the health and agriculture extension workers, fruit
consumption is not common in many of the target areas. In general, consumption of healthier diet is not a
common thing. In the four woredas women and men In the mixed FGD conducted in Libokemkim Woreda
participants noted that prefer to purchase and consume coffee and salt rather than consume fruits for they belief
that friuts are valuable for selling and brining income instead of purchasing them for household consumption. In
most of the households of the targeted areas, men, women and children have limited dietary choices: they often
consume Injera with peas/beans wot due to economic and climatic related shocks and draughts.
23
The finding of the study has revealed that the gender norms regarding access and control over productive assets
have substantial implications on women’s preparation, acquisition and consumption of healthier diet. Though,
there has been some change in women’s level of access and control over resources, their control is mostly limited
to small productive assets, such as poultry and poultry products, vegetables and fruits. Men on the other hand,
have control over big assets like land, big livestock, farming materials and large farm-related production that are
regarded as their expensive belongings. Women have access to and control over backyard gardening to raise
poultry, poultry products and produce vegetable such as cabbage, potato and onions. Although women produce
such healthier nutritious products in the backyard, they often sell them (instead of household consumption) to
gain income to buy coffee, salt and oil (which are costly), in return. In all study areas coffee drinking is given high
priority compared to preparation, acquisition and consumption of healthier diets. In most of the households, in the
study area coffee (with salt) is taken by men and women and other family members/neighbors three times a day
which takes substantial portion of the household income. According to participants in Tach-Gaynt Woreda, they
prefer to buy and consume coffee (over animal products, fruit and vegetables) because it gives them energy and
suppresses their appetite. In addition to these food taboos and less importance given to fruits and vegetables have
affected women’s preparation, acquisition and consumption of healthier diet.
Further measures are needed to increase women’s access and control over resources.Awreness raising activities
among community members is needed to enforce the duel/eqaul land ownership and enheritance rights of
women. The government should also provide farming land and equipent, agriculture inputs and access to creadit
and financial services to women (as afirmative action) so that they are economically empowered. Moreover,
ensuring equal participation of women in trainings opportunities that will enable them to utilize their resources
effectively in the preparation, acquisition and consumption of healthier diet. Among the already started initiatives
by health and agriculture extension awareness raising programs, women should be promoted to participate in such
programs so that the family/household consumption of healthier diets is improved.
Area of Inquiry-4: Access to public spaces and services

In all target areas, FGD participants (women in female headed household and male headed household) were able
to identify important places, institutions and resources in a community that are related to nutrition and livelihood
services. According to most participants, agricultural and health extension services, education, microfinance, legal
and vocational training services are available in their localities.
Structures: Although there are functional policies, programs, or strategies that promote women’s access to these
services, quality, availability and accessibility of some of the services (such as variety of food products and
functional market outlets) are inadequate. In the study areas no private, government or community groups were
found to provide healthier diet on affordable price in the community. According to key informant from the Trade
and Market Development Bureau, their bureau at government level often has a monitoring check up in regards to
prices and expiry dates of products; however, the bureau has no mandate in regards to providing healthier items
with affordable price to the community. There is also lack of coordination at government level in regards to
involving different stakeholders (VSLA inputs, Agricultural offices and extension workers, gender and nutritious
staff) to provide training/sessions on healthier diets production, purchasing and consumption etc.
However, male and female participants have noted that two to three times in year agriculture and health
extension workers come to create awareness among men and women about healthier diets production,
purchasing and consumption with some demonstration. However, due to heavy household workload and some
existing social norms that monitors women’s mobility men often attend such training than women although some
women reported that men share the information they gained from such sessions. According to an FGD female
24
participant in Libokemekem Woreda, “Women have to finish their household chores before going outside to
attend services or trainings, otherwise she will be ridiculed for abandoning her house”.
Gender Norms: Access to Public Space and Services

Gender 1 Women have to finish their household chores before going outside to attend services or trainings,
Norms, otherwise she will be ridiculed for abandoning her house
Beliefs, 2 Women should not go alone long distance to access services and markets without male company.
Values a women should ask her husband’s permission to go out and attend services.
3
As a result of the education policy that enforced girls and boys equal participation in formal education, in the las
two decades girls have been attending primary education the same as boys. According to women FGD participant
in Libokemkim, due to government household regulation at Kebele level girls are attending primary education in
the nearby vicinity. However, since high schools are located far from the localities girls do not often proceed to
secondary education due to security and safety reasons.
Agency: As per the information collected from the four Woredas of South Gonder Zone, married women have to
inform and consult with their husband to move freely around public spaces to attend trainings/meetings and/or
health services on ANC, Family planning and/or healthier food preparation. Due to high work load at household
level, coupled with safety and security reasons women have less access to public spaces compared to men. In
Ebinat and Libokemikim Woredas , due to safety and security reasons, some women have reported to have a
company (often males or boys) to move to markets and other places. Compared to women in MHH, women in FHH
relatively have freedom to move to public places but they also need a company of male (boys/neighbours) so
safety and security reasons.
Relation: Most married women FGD participants have also confirmed that they have to seek permission (or
inform) from their husbands to access extension services, trainings and markets. In general however, most men
and women respondents reported that they always inform and consult to one another to move and participate in
public spaces and service activities, to improve their livelihood activities and manage household chores. In
Libokemkim Woreda a mixed FGD participants noted that if a woman goes out from the house without consulting
her husband, she will be considered as disobedient, which would consecutively lead to domestic violence such as
verbal abuse and beating. In Ebinat Woreda, FGD men participants noted that if a woman goes out of the house
without consulting her husband, she will be considered promiscious or a person who has another sexual partner
than a husband. Similarly, in-laws, neighbors and religious leaders will condemn a women who goes out for the
house with out permission for neglagting her major responsibility of looking after the children and doing the
household chores.
The finding of the study has revealed that the gender norms regarding access to public space and services have
substantial implications on women’s preparation, acquisition and consumption of healthier diet.
As noted by participants heavy work load and safety and security issues in the area have delimited women to
access public spaces and services accordingly. Moreover, social protection and the legal system need to be
enforced in the localities to provide a secured enviroment for women so that they can move safely in public place
25
to enable them learn and adopt effective strategies to prepare, adapt and respond to food insecurity (in the HH),
disasters and climate change. Female participants in the study areas noted to give priority to strategies that reduce
the workload of women, such as promotion of fuel saving stoves, water pumps, wells, solar light and climate
sensitive solar powered mills, and provision of protection and legal actions (sanctioning those who threaten
women’s safety).
Area of Inquiry-5: Meaningful Participation in Public Decision Making
Structure: Compared to men, women have limited capacity to claim rights and meaningfully participate in public
spaces and community decision-making. FGD participants and key informants in the four Woredas noted some
persisting social norms, beliefs and values regarding men’s leadership quality over women; women lack of time,
interest and ability to participate in public decision making activities etc. as outlined in the table below. However,
in recent times due to implementation of the policies, programs, or strategies and awareness raising activities
conducted among women and men participants that promote women’s empowerment, some women are coming
out and are having good leadership roles especially in women only groups such as VSLA, small food items
processing groups (balitina mahiberat), and they are leaders. In mixed group however, their participation in
leadership role is less than the desired, although some role models are emerging as local Kebele leaders and as
board members of cooperatives.
Gender Norms: Meaningful Participation in Public Decision Making

Gender 1 Men have leadership quality over women;
Norms, 2 Women cannot make decisions (lead) alone without the support of men
Beliefs, 3 Women are not interested to participate in public decision making
Values
Agency: The majority of the discussants confirmed that if a woman is educated enough, then she can participate
and play her role in public gatherings as well as decision making. According to the informants, compared to men
the number of women who participate in public decision-making at local gathering and Kebele (formal) sectors is
very small due to women’s lack of knowledge and skills (confidence and self-esteem), and interest. A male FGD
participant in Ebinat Woreda stated: “there is a very wrong way of thinking in the community which states: women
are not believed to be capable of having a leadership position.” In Libokemkem Woreda, male FGD participants
noted that even women are voted for leadership position, they shy out and do not accept the position due to lack
of confidence and interest, lack of time and work burden in the house and farm activities. Developing leadership,
communication and confidence skills were mentioned as the important/best skills for a woman to participate in
public decision-making. Furthermore, creating a woman social group that supports women’s leadership role will
overcome some social norms that discourage women to meaningfully participate in public decision making to
influence healthier diets in the community.
Relation: Most of the male participants believe that to participate in the public decision- making process a woman
should start with convincing her own husband. Gain his trust and make him let her go outside the domestic space
and then allow her to work or do business activities and become a significant contributor to her marriage. Step by
step and by looking at her progress, the husband can allow her to participate in public decision making. This shows
that it is up to the choice/judgment/decision of the husband to allow the woman to have her voice heard and
decide in the public spaces. Most of the women do not want to be seen in public spaces in fear of the existing norm
which does not acknowledge the active participation of women and involvement in the public decision-making
26
process. Furthermore, in some of the study areas, the social norm that signifies women’s in-ability to make
decisions/lead alone (without the help of men) are preventing women’s meaningful participation in public decision
making especially in mixed groups such as Mahiber, Eddir, Equb, community and Kebele associations. Some of the
Government and NGOs have been providing various training to change the attitude, knowledge, and skill in the
area of right, technical skill and others. In Tach Gayint Woreda and Lay Gayint Woreda, FGD women have noted that
young educated women (with a support of men) are having active participation in the Kebele led activities and in
mobilizing women to participate in small scale agriculture activities (i.e. poultry, egg and cultivating vegitable) and
in reproductive health activities.
The finding of the study has revealed that the gender norms regarding access to public space and services have
substantial implications on women’s preparation, acquisition and consumption of healthier diet. The dominant
trend for women's public decision making is that in principle the right of women in decision making is recognized.
The major restraining factor for women to participate in the process of decision making includes norms, cultural
and religious values and also lack of education, and confidence from the women’s side. Some of the Government
and NGOs have been providing various training to change the attitude, knowledge, and skill in the area of right,
technical skill and others. As a result some young and educated women are coming in leadership position gaining
support from men. Still, more is expected to address the intermingled socio-economic problem that is hindering
the decision making ability of women in the public spaces especially in relation to women’s participation in
production and sales for healthier agricultural products by using quality nutritious seed, access to agriculture
technology, land and information equal to men.
Area of Inquiry-6: Control over one’s body

In regards to control over one’s body, the study also assessed issues related to gender-based violence, early
marriage, family planning, nutritious diet of women during pregnancy, and during breast feeding in household
level.
Structures: Social norms and values that govern control over women’s and girls’ body in regards to early marriage,
family planning and gender based violence were documented as outlined below.
Social Norms: Controls to One’s body

Social 1 As long as a woman is capable to give birth, she should continue giving birth
Norms, 2
Beliefs, 3
Values 4 Girls belong to others (husband’s family)
A girl should get married when she reached puberty
If a woman does not have a child, she is worthless (her husband might leave her to another woman)
In the four Woredas of the study, social norms that govern control over women’s and girls’ body were found to be
similar. Although there have been some changes in the recent years, there are some persisting social norms that s
prevent women sexual and health rights such as personal choice about marriage and use of family planning
services, which consecutively affects the nutritious diets of women during pregnancy, and after during breast
feeding in household level.
Participants in Tach-Gaynt and Lay-Gaynt Woredas noted that it has been customary that when ‘a girl reaches the
age of puberty, she needs to be married; and become the ‘property’ of the husband and his family. Married girls
are often expected to give birth to young children at young age (with restricted use of family planning methods).
27
In the studies Woredas, since children were considered as assets and assistants in the production unit, women
were advices by in-laws (usually mother-in-laws) to give birth as long as and as many as she can.
In recent times however, government policies, laws and institutions are preventing and protecting sexual and
reproductive health rights of women and girls. According to the study, under the Bureau of Women and Social
Affairs, social protection services have been availed to prevent GBV in the community by providing an awareness
raising program to the community in collaboration with the Health offices and local community police in the
localities. At Kebele level, as a result of health extension workers awareness raising activities on the use of family
planning and on the negative aspects of early marriage, women have reported the use of family planning method
and preventing early marriages in the community. A female participant at Libokemkim noted:
“Some years ago, the community members heard that a young girl’s wedding was in-progress in secret,
and all the community members went to the house and prevented the wedding ceremony and reported
the case to the local police... since then we have never heard of early marriage in the area.”
Agency: Women and girls are considered as ‘property’ of their husbands and in-laws which jeopardizes women’s
control over their bodies regards to marriage, sexual relations, family planning and gender based violence. In
reviewing the demographic background of female participants in four Woredas, nearly all of the women were
married under the age of 18 and have on average 6 children at the age of 30. Most of the participants have not
been using family planning methods up to recent times. In earlier times, there was a strong belief that ”If a
woman does not have a child, she is worthless (her husband might leave her to another woman)”,
In Tach-Gaynt and Ebinat Woredas women and men FGD participants reported that except the first 10 days after
child birth (when women eat porridge made of maize and wheat) women of reproductive age consume the same
kind of food (Injera with beans/peas wot) during pregnancy and breast feeding. Neither discusses sex nor says no
to sex when asked by husbands. The chance of reaching an agreement not to have sex between husband and wife
is very limited. Most women do not have rights over their bodies. In some of the localities, refusal to have sex
every time the husband wants can be used as a reason for the husband to take additional wives. Although
polygamy is considered as a taboo in some of the Woredas, it was found to be common in all localities. However,
most women do not have the confidence to discuss, object or negotiate with their husbands is such cases, have no
choice but accept it as it is.
Relation: In all localities female participants confirmed the presence of intimate partner violence. Women face
domestic abuse for going out from the house without permission or for using money budgeted for household
purposes differently. Moreover, women have to get permission from their husbands and parents-in-laws (usually
mother-in-law) to access and use family planning services. In Ebinat Woreda, a key informant signified that they
are not allowed by their husbands, religious leaders and in-laws to use family planning methods due to a persisting
customary norm that ‘As long as a woman is capable to give birth she should continue giving birth, otherwise
generation gap will be formed’.
After child delivery (in the first 10 days) mother and mother-in-laws take care of the woman by preparing porridges
and hot fluids made from maize and other form of cereals. .Other than this, women participants noted that no
special feeding practis are their in the community during this period especially in relation to protein dense foods.
However, after the ten days (the mothers and in-laws will return) and during breast feeding women continue
consuming the usual kind of food like the rest of the family.
28
The finding of the study has revealed that the gender norms regarding early marriage, use of family planning
methods and gender based violence have substantial implications on the nutritional status of women of
reproductive age, infants and young children in the community.
The persisting social norms in regards to early marriage and values given to number of children (over the use of
planning methods), have created huge burden on the health and nutritional status of women, infants and young
children in the households. A woman who got married early and forced to have as many children as she can does
not have the time (due to heavy work load in looking after the children) and resources to provide healthy and
nutritious diets. In all Woredas studied, Exclusive Breast feeding is still non-existence: for one thing women do not
get nutritious food to produce milk for their children. In addition, continues child birth (without using family
planning) will not provide an infant enough period of time for breast feeding. Coupled with poverty and repetitive
climatic shocks, the nutritional status of women of reproductive age, infants and young children in the target areas
are generally very low.
The national Food and Nutrition Policy (FDRE, 2018) and strategies (FDRE, 2019) has planned to reduce women’s
workload and address women’s and children’s dietary choices/needs and consumptions. By integrating the strategy
with the national Reproductive Strategy the health, agriculture, education women and social affairs bureaus can
prevent and respond to dietary rights of women during pregnancy and during breastfeeding and to rights of using
family planning methods. In addition to introducing labor- saving technologies, awareness raising activities should
be provided to men, in-laws, religious leaders on the benefits of using family planning methods and male
involvement in children’s care practices to address gender inequality and promote year-round consumption of
healthy diet for women of reproductive age, infants and young children.
Area of Inquiry-7: Violence and Restorative Justice
Structures: Most key informants believe that because of awareness created by government agencies, Civil Society
Organizations (CSO), religious institutions and NGOs some positive changes are registered. According to them, only
some face GBV and related assaults from their partners and community members today. On the other hand, the
discussants, especially women, said the risk of GBV and intimate partner violence still exists irrespective of the
interventions from the government. In the four Woredas, government health posts, community police and legal
office exist at Kebele level near to the communities. The service providers have attended some professional
trainings but their are shortage of staff in this facilities. Health centers, clinics and women ans social affairs office
and One-stop centers are found at Woreda level far from the rural community. However, key informant noted that
the service providers are interlinked to provide service for GBV survivors.
Regarding the one-stop center service and information, out of all the discussants, few participants heard about the
One-stop center from local officials. The survivors can go to the center and get services. Otherwise, almost all
males and the majority of women said, do not know the one-stop center; showing that the information of the
services available to survivors is not accessible to the majority who are living in the area. In case of a possible
event, the majority said that they will consider reporting it to Kebele officials and take the survivor to the nearest
health center or hospital. In Libokemkim and Tach-Gaynt Woreda, FGD participants noted that women with
children who has been left by their husbands face difficulties to claim theirs and their children’s dietary rights for
the do not have the social support and resource to access restorative justice ( gain child/family support from their
husband). In Lay Gaynt Woreda, a religious leader noted that “Women should not takeout their house issues to
the public to demand justice for it benefits no one and it will be a disgrace to the family”. Rather women and men
are encouraged to ask for permission from parents, in-laws and the elderly in the family before accessing social and
legal protection services in relation to household/marriage issues and dietary rights.
29
Gender Norms: Access to Restorative Justice

Gender 1 A woman should not access -social protection services without the permission of her husband, in-laws
Norms, and the elderly
Beliefs, 2 Women should not takeout their house issues to the public to demand justice for it benefits no one (will
Values disgrace the family).
Agency: Most of the discussants acknowledged that some years ago, women were at a very high risk of GBV (early
marriage, abduction etc) than now and highly exposed to GBV/domestic violence/sexual assaults and harassment in
all the target areas in the Woredas, which is only slightly better now. They acknowledge that survivors of GBV can
either tell elders about their problem and find solutions and compensation traditionally or to go to health
extension workers, get first aid and be referred to the hospital. The majority of the women and almost all of the
male discussants are not well aware of services available to survivors and only very few of the participants said we
know where a survivor can go for treatment. On the other hand, few female discussants in all the places confirmed
that they know where services for survivors are available. They have identified health centers and hospital as a
designated center for survivors. Some said taking her to a nearby health center or hospital and reporting it to local
officials. But few of them in Tach-Gaynt Wereda said that they do not know what to do and where to go in case
they come across such a thing.
Relations: The majority of the participants do not know where the survivors can go in search of treatment, despite
the existance of health posts, community police and health centers in the respective Woredas. Hence, most women
depend on the elders (instead of perusing the mainstream justice system) to get restorative justice in regards to
their dietary rights to enable them avoid violence or seek protection. This discourages the survivors of domestic
violence from seeking help. Furthermore, with regards to sexual relations and gender based violence in the family,
In Ebinat Woreda some participants have noted that women are restricted to discuss and share their household
issue in public to demand justice, for it is considered as a disgrace to the family. Rather, women in the target areas
use their extended families (fathers, uncles, brothers and other relatives) to negotiate and influence (prevent)
violent behavior in the household including their dietary rights.
The finding of the study has revealed that the gender norms regarding violence and restorative justice have
substantial implications on the nutritional status of women of reproductive age, infants and young children in the
community. As indicated, despite the existence of domestic violence ( beating, harassment etc.) in the household,
the social norms in the target areas discourages women not to seek justice in the legal public system, by
restricting women to present their issues to the extended family (elders) members, who are often men. Women
who are survivors of domestic violence are often expected to accept whatever, the elderly men decide as a
solution which often time would be unfair. This is the same for women, who have been left by their husbands, who
often face difficulties to claim theirs and their children’s dietary rights in the legal justice system through the
restricting social norm that state women should not take out her household issues to the public for it is a disgrace
to the family.
Women and children with lack of proper diet are further prone to additional violence in the household and in the
community because they do not have the physical stamina or energy to defend themselves or their children, or
report and follow up the issue to demand justice (through the informal or formal system). Providing awareness
raising sessions on regular basis to both men and women members of the community on women’s dietary rights
will enable women and other community members prevent and respond to violence
30
Area of Inquiry-8: Aspiration
Structure: In Ethiopia, at national level various policies, strategies and guidelines exist to enhance the nutritional
status and dietary rights of women, children and community members. To name the major ones: the National Food
and Nutrition Policy (FDRE, 2018) with its strategies (FDRE, 2019); the Seqota Declaration Implementation Plan—
aimed at ending under-nutrition by 2030; the Food System Transformation Goals; the Food Based Dietary
Guideline (FNDG); the Food Fortification Strategies, School Health and Nutrition Strategies, School Feeding
Strategies, and the Maternal Multiple Micronutrient Program launched by the Minister of Health.
The above policy, strategies and guidelines have set priorities and expectations in terms gender inequality and
promote year-round consumption of healthy diet for women of reproductive age; planning to reduce the
malnourished women rate by 12 to 17 percent, annually. Eliminating gender-based discrimination under the law,
ensuring gender-sensitive policies and programming decisions, and giving women greater voice in decision-making
at all levels are also incorporated as components for mainstreaming gender in agriculture and food security
interventions.
Agency: In all four Woredas of the study, both women and men aspire to be resilient in the face of economic and
environmental changes and become economically independent to enable them live longer healthier life by securing
their dietary rights.
In regards to social norms and expectations, some women participants reported that they would like to see
changes in regards to having equal share of household chores. Furthermore, in both localities they noted that the
government, NGOs or other private sectors should provide them with labor saving technologies such as stove and
dug well or groundwater drilling. On the other hand, men participants in all Woredas indicated that they would like
to have labor saving modern technologies with supplies of cost-saving seeds, pesticides and fertilizers that will
increase their farm productivity so that they are able to generate income that makes them economically
independent and feed their family healthier diets.
However, there are many practical problems faced by men and women that dispute their resilience. Most women
and men FGD participants reported that poverty, draught and climatic shocks, and have workload were the main
barriers that limited them to achieve a longer healthier life and secure their dietary rights. In an in-depth interview,
A model woman from Libokemkem Woreda noted that access to productive resources such as land, agricultural
inputs, extension services for women (with trainings, etc,) and time and labor- saving technologies can enable a
family achieve economic independent and a longer healthier diet consumption at household level. Moreover
another model woman from Tach-Gaynt Woreda noted that male involvement in household care practices and
women’s participation in household budgeting are vital to achieve year-round consumption of healthy diet for men,
women of reproductive age and children.
Relations: Women participants have envisioned their relationship within the household to be equal in regards to
sharing household chores, decision making in household income, budgeting, food preparation and allocation.
Furthermore, women participants aspire to gain understanding and support from their men, in-laws, parents,
religious leaders and community elders in regards to their equal rights to access land, house, livestock and farming
equipment. Women participants have also noted their aspiration to get support from their men, in-laws, parents,
religious leaders and community elders in regards to their freedom of mobility to access services and involve in
income generating activities. Moreover, women participants also noted that members of the household, parents,
in-laws, relatives and religious leaders need to support women’s reproductive rights in regards to marital choice,
31
use of family planning survices and access restorative justice. On the other hand, most men participants do also
envision equal rights of women but do not practice it at their house and community level due to existing customs
and social norms. Men have also indicated their aspiration to see changes in the current social norms in the future,
through awareness raising activities conducted by government sectors and NGOs on equal rights of women.
According to model women in Ebinat and Tach Gayint Woredas, women’s decision-making power within their
household increased when they become economically powerful. Moreover, they were able to realize their
aspirations by overcoming these gender norms through some support systems (especially their husbands) and
have emerged by fully engaging in economic activities such as producing and selling vegitables, eggs etc to sustain
their family. Female FGD participants in both localities indicated that despite the challenges these women face
from extended family members and neighbors, the women were able to access land for farming and acquire skills
in operating farming activities by having a chance to participate in FTCs. Participants noted that in addition to
awareness raising activities carried by agriculture extension programs and, supports gained from husbands have
been vital for these women to generate income for the family and own high value productive assets such as land,
livestock and farming materials.
Applying Gender Analysis to Programming

CARE- CAtalyzing Strengthened policy aCtion for hAalthy Diets and resiliencE (CASCADE) Program aims to increase
access to and consumption of healthy diets and increase the resilience to price and climate change related shocks
and stresses among household members particularly women in reproductive age and children. In order to achieve
the program objective, it is imperative to address the practical and strategic needs of the women in the community.
Practical and strategic issues identified

Based the gender analysis the following practical and strategic needs has been identified in relation to women and
men in the community.
Practical issues
Lack of clean water in the nearby
Time consuming household chores
Labour-intensive farming practices,
Lack of agricultural inputs supplies such as fertilizers, seeds, pesticides etc
Lack of private sectors that provide healthier diets in affordable price
Strategic issues
· The social norms and beliefs that allows early marriage and domestic violence
· The social norms and beliefs that restrict women to household chores and reproductive roles (and from
using family planning) and limit men’s involvement in children’s care practice.
· The social norms and values that restrict women’s participation in household budgeting
· The social norms and values that restricts women to control productive assets and generate their own
income by involving in the production, acquisition and preparation of healthier diets
· Existence of food taboo that restricts women to consume protein and vitamin rich animal products (such
as heart, kidney, goat milk etc.), and; preference of using household income for coffee and salt
consumption over healthier food.
· The social norms and values that restrict women’s right to inheritance of properties.
· Safety and security issues in the area that delimited women to access public spaces and services
32
In conclusion, the most difficult situation of women is labour and time consuming household chores, labour
intensive farming activities, lack of agricultural inputs and Lack of private sectors that provide diversified healthier
diets in affordable price. This calls for practical solution with the provision of labor reducing technologies, clean
water, agricultural inputs, and involving private sector in the provision of healthier diet in affordable price. In
addition, women’s greater challenge is related to be free from social norms that restrict their rights to access
trainings, productive assets, family planning, social protection services and their rights to produce, acquire,
prepare and consume healthier diets especially during pregnancy, and after child birth during breast feeding.
These strategic issues can be achieved through awareness raising activities focused on positive change in the
current gender norms and practices that are affecting women negatively.
General Recommendations
Agency
· Awareness-raising interventions play an important role in the empowerment of women at the community
and institutional levels. Therefore, provide trainings on various topics related to gender equality at the
community level. The topics could cover women's legal rights, gender equality and development nexus,
assertiveness and leadership trainings, and trainings on the importance and preparation of heather diets.
Engage successful older female and male as role models from the community to initiate their aspirations
to transit to production, preparation and consumption of healthier diets among women of reproductive
age, infants and children.
· Provide assertiveness and life skill trainings to women so that they have the skill to engage in
communication that brings the positive result to their life in relation to production, preparation and
consumption of healthier diets.
· Techniques that save time and energy are important for women to engage in the production, preparation
and consumption of healthier diets. Provide financial and technical support that alleviates the problem
related to traditional household chores and farming. This could be done by facilitating for the provision of
clean water and energy-saving stoves/alternative energy (modern stoves, water wells), water pumps,
tractors and other machineries.
Relation
·
leaders and community elders by challenging the most of the deep rooted social norms outlined in rgis
study
· Then, engage men throughout the gender action plan implementation and work with male role models in
the area to change the situation and condition of women in relation to production, preparation and
consumption of healthier diets. Hence, recognizing male role models in the community and devise a
method or identify periodical events to recognize and reward those male partners and siblings who are
willing to share the work burden at home, who fight against violence against women and actively engage
in such initiatives.
· Create partnership with local FM radios (with local language) to broadcast awareness raising programs on
weekly basis to challenge the persisting social norms that contribute to gender inequality and food taboos
in relation to production, preparation and consumption of healthier diets.
Structures
· Strengthening the program implementer’s capacity is important to effectively implement the program in
the targeted area. Hence, provide need-based trainings in the area of legal rights of women for experts so
33
that they discharge their responsibility with skill and knowledge in relation to production, preparation and
consumption of healthier diets.
· Strengthening coordination at government level in regards to involving different stakeholders (VSLA
inputs, Agricultural offices and extension workers, gender and nutritious staff) to provide training/sessions
on healthier diets production, purchasing and consumption etc
· violence against women hinders the empowerment of women and is a right violation. The program should
conduct a GBV risk assessment, that focuses on prevention from and response to GBV and put in place
GBV mitigation measures together with the program implementers and stakeholders, and implement the
measures in the process of program implementation.
· Identify the most important and appropriate stakeholders in the community that provide services to
survivors and establish a referral path for the first responders so that survivors get appropriate, and
survivor center
· For survivors, it is important to get restorative justice that is survivor-centered. Good to identify women
rights advocates such as EWLA and others in the area and work together to decrease the incidents of GBV
in the program implementation
· Create partnership with private sectors, cooperatives and government sectors - Confederation of
Ethiopian Trade Union (CETU) to avail diversified healthier diets for mothers of reproductive age, infants
and children
· At government level, peace and security interventions (i.e. assinging peace and security militias at Kebele
level and conducting continious dialogues with opposition parties etc.) should be implemented to resolve
the rising conflicts in the area.
Specific Recommendations
Sexual/Gender division of labor
· Through consecutive trainings and education develop personal skills, abilities, knowledge, or attitudes of
women for them to negotiate on the division of labor in their society
· Alter the customs and norms that dictate men to engage in the public sphere and women in the domestic
sphere by awareness-raising and by engaging women in different Income generating activities/
establishing VSLAs/ women’s credit and saving associations
· Assess the private sector to learn more about the opportunities, practices, structures and conditions in
the provision of labor-saving technologies and healthier diets in affordable price
· Engage stakeholders based on the current conditions and relationships to engage women in the
production and consumption of healthier diets
Control over productive assets

· Enhance women’s access to information, financial credit and collaterals by establishing VSLAs/ women’s
credit and saving associations to enable them produce and consume healthier diets
· Enhance women’s access to productive assets by providing work space/land in the local open space,
farming materials and inputs so that they are able to produce healthier food items. Extra emphasis should
be given to economically poor women headed households as they are more vulnerable to high
malnutrition.
· Establishment of community based social funds that could support households through scarce times to
enable them produce and consume healthier diets.
leaders and community elders by challenging the social norms to improve the women control over
productive assets like land, agriculture material
34
· Enforce the duel rights of land ownership and enheritance laws in the community by conducting peridical
campaigns to create awareness at community level (especiall among women, men, parents, in-laws,
religious leaders and community elders) and by providing
Decision making
· Address issues related to patriarchy/superiority of men through enhancing male engagement in gender
programs and promotion of male models.
· Capacitate women’s groups’ works at the grassroots level that in turn encourage women’s participation
especially in household budgeting in relation to production and consumption of healthier diets.
· Provide training to women and men that increase knowledge and skill in regards to the adverse effects of
food taboo and the importance of producing, purchasing, preparing and consuming diversified and
healthier diets over spending much portion of household income on coffee and salt purchase.
· Bring and promote model women to local leadership positions so that they exercise public decision
making roles and inspire other women.
Public Decision making

· Alleviate the problem related to unfair gender division of labor through the provision of some technology
that enables save time and energy at the household level. Also, use male engagement and model
initiatives to change the burden of domestic work from female only to a shared one.
· Positively influence the norm that strict in the delegation of family men in public spaces through working
with elders, and male champions and capacitating women in the area and creating women champions.
· Capacitate women through provision of skill training such as financial management, leadership and
decision making etc and related one to change the condition and situation of women in the area.
Control over one’s body

· Through awareness creation programs in reproductive health rights and use of family planning services,
male engagement and male model’s as well as improving the assertiveness of women, address the issue
of gender based violence that comes from the social norm that considers girls and women as ‘property’ of
the husband.
· Carry out community conversation by engaging men and men models in each locality on reproductive
health rights and use of family planning services to promote women’s social and economic empowerment
· Carry out Social Analysis and Action (SAA) sessions among community members to help them surface and
challenge restrictive norms and act togther to create more equitable ones, while building support for
sexual, reproductive and maternal health rights.
· Avail information about services available to survivors or one-stop centers through the relevant
stakeholders/justice sector. Enable the justice sector to map out the available resources and put in place
referral mechanisms and information about these services.
· Engage households impacted by violence such as domestic violence (verbal and physical abused), rape
and sexual harrasment by facilitating their participation VSLA so that they can be social and economically
empowered
Restorative justice
· Strengthening /Create a platform for the partners working on prevention and response to GBV. So that the
services are available to survivors of GBV in a coordinated manner.
Aspiration
35
leaders and community elders to create equal relationship within the household regards to sharing
household chores, decision making in household income, budgeting, food preparation and allocation.
· Conduct community conversation to gain understanding and support (for women) from their men, in-laws,
parents, religious leaders and community elders in regards to their equal rights to access land, house,
livestock and farming equipment.
· Address the issues in regards to mobility, use of family planning method, participation in decision making,
and in regards to owning and transferring resources through the provision of awareness raising activities in
the community together with the provisions of legal and social protection services, So that women are
able to produce, acquire and consume healthier diets.
· Address the issues of women’s rights violations so that proper restorative justice is provided
REFERENCE
36
CARE (2012). Good Practices Framework – Gender Analysis, (CARE, May 2012). URL:
https://genderinpractice.care.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/GEWV_gender-analysis-good-
practices_2012.pdf
Central Statistical Agency (CSA) [Ethiopia] and ICF. (2016). Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2016.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: CSA and ICF. URL:
https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR328/FR328.pdf
FAO. (2019). National gender profile of agriculture and rural livelihoods – Ethiopia. Country Gender.
http://www.fao.org/3/ca3224en/ca3224en.pdf
Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) [Ethiopia] and ICF. 2021. Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey
2019: Final Report. Rockville, Maryland, USA: EPHI and ICF. URL:
https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR363/FR363.pdf
FDRE (2018). Food and Nutrition Policy. Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. URL:
https://www.nipn.ephi.gov.et/sites/default/files/2020-05/Food%20and%20Nutrition%20Policy.pdf
FDRE (2019). National Food and Nutrition Strategy. Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. URL:
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2ND DRAFT REPORT - GENDER ANALYSIS

BoA Bureau of Agriculture

GEM Gender Equality Marker

Gender Division of Labour

Household Decision Making

Access to and Control over Productive assets

Access to Public Space and Services

Meaningful Participation in Public Decision Making

Control over one’s Body

Violence and Restorative Justice

Overview of the Project

CASCADE project has five different domains. These are:

Objective of the Gender Analysis

Scope of the Gender Analysis

Figure 1. CARE’s Gender Equality Framework

Figure 2.CARE’s Core Areas of Inquiry for Gender Analysis

Core Areas of Inquiry for Gender Analysis

Area of inquiry 1: Sexual/gendered division of labor

Gender Norms: Division of Labor

Implication on Healthier Diet Consumptions (Women and Children)

Area of Inquiry-2: Household decision-making

Gender Norms: Household Decision Making

Implication on Healthier Diet Consumptions (Women and Children)

Area of Inquiry-3: Control over Productive Assets

Gender Norms: Control over productive assets

Implication on Healthier Diet Consumptions (Women and Children)

Area of Inquiry-4: Access to public spaces and services

Gender Norms: Access to Public Space and Services

Implication on Healthier Diet Consumptions (Women and Children)

Area of Inquiry-5: Meaningful Participation in Public Decision Making

Gender Norms: Meaningful Participation in Public Decision Making

Implication on Healthier Diet Consumptions (Women and Children)

Area of Inquiry-6: Control over one’s body

Social Norms: Controls to One’s body

Implication on Healthier Diet Consumptions (Women and Children)

Area of Inquiry-7: Violence and Restorative Justice

Gender Norms: Access to Restorative Justice

Implication on Healthier Diet Consumptions (Women and Children)

Area of Inquiry-8: Aspiration

Applying Gender Analysis to Programming

Practical and strategic issues identified

Control over productive assets

Public Decision making

Control over one’s body

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