Barriers to Women and Girls’ Participation in Electoral Processes in Ethiopia and Policy Responses

Abstract

This report focuses on the main barriers to women and girls’ meaningful participation in electoral processes and evidence of what works to overcome these. The report also considers the role of various other elevated risk factors in Ethiopian society including violence against women in elections, socio-cultural factors, economic factors, and the role of norms. In general, women continue to occupy a marginalised position in Ethiopian society, including inequalities in access to education, employment opportunities and lower salaries in comparison to men. Several factors affect the ability of women to participate meaningfully in politics and elections in Ethiopia. However, the literature discusses certain measures to increase women’s participation in political and election processes.