The gender roles that structure Ethiopian society are the primary factors leading to the lack of women's education. Girls are expected to do the housework, while men work outside the home ("Ethiopian Treasures" 1). The stereotypical roles that are prominent in Ethiopian society along with the fact that girls are often forced to marry at a young age, serve to inhibit women's move towards gender parity. The, "negative social attitudes against women, and educating them in particular, [are] still being reflected in the educational system", which prevents girls from receiving an education as easily as boys (Wilder 1). In Things Fall Apart, by Chenua Achebe, men in society were far superior to the women. Similar to Nigerian society in Things Fall Apart, in Ethiopian society if a woman attempts to move outside of her typical role she would be looked down upon and even punished. Gender roles in Ethiopia trap society into a way of thinking that prevents women from reaching their full potential.- Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York: Anchor, 1994. Print.
- "Ethiopian Treasures." Ethiopian Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2013.
- Picture Source: http://www.pathfinder.org/assets/images/thumbnail-images/project-thumbnails/Ethiopia-Ethiopian-Women-s-and-Girl-s-Empowerment-through-Education-and-Reproductive-Health-Knowledge-and-Access-to-Services_thumbnail.jpg
Really good points! I am really grateful to be in a country with equal opportunity
ReplyDeleteTyya