Women's contributions versus Men's patriarchal status among Afar pastoralists in the Lower Awash Valley

Afar pastoralist women, despite being excluded from leadership roles due to patriarchal norms, play crucial roles in maintaining social order, economic reciprocity, and resource sharing in the Lower Awash Valley. Their control over household responsibilities and income-generating activities is vital for the survival of Afar society. The study recommends integrating women's traditional roles into broader empowerment policies and removing sociocultural barriers to enhance their contributions to pastoral livelihoods. This research used qualitative methods—situational observations, key interviews, and group discussions—to analyze women's unrecognized but essential functions in socio-economic interactions and clan networks.

Teklesilassie Yazew, B. (2024). Women’s contributions versus Men’s patriarchal status among Afar pastoralists in the Lower Awash Valley. Heliyon, 10(14), e34469. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34469