women's decision-making on property ownership

1
Wachemo university

• COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES
• DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
•  
• WOMENS DECISION MAKING ON PROPERTY OWNERSHIP
  AMONG SIDAMA THE CASE OF CHIRONE DISTRICT,
  SIDAMA NATIONAL REGIONAL STATE
• BY SHIBIRE BULCHA
•  
• ADVISOR DR.DEJENE GEMECHU
  (ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR)
•  
• A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
  FOR PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR
  THE MASTER OF ARTS (MA) IN SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY
• 
  
• OCTOBER, 2023
• 
  
  HOSSAN, ETHIOPIA

2
Introduction

• According to Anthropologist, Property ownership
  is a complex cultural process in which social
  norms, values, and traditions shape perceptions
  and decision making around property management,
  inheritance, and transmission. When it comes to
  womens decision making on property ownership, it
  is important to consider the cultural and social
  contexts that surround it. In many societies,
  women may face various forms of discrimination
  and exclusion from property rights, which can
  limit their ability to make decisions about
  property ownership. This can be due to laws,
  customs, and traditional practices that favor
  male inheritance and property ownership (Hann,
  Humphrey Verdery, 2003).
• However, anthropological studies have shown that
  womens decision-making power with regards to
  property ownership can vary widely across
  cultures and contexts. For example, in
  matrilineal societies women may have greater
  decision-making power as they control the lineage
  and inheritance of property (Ibid).

3
Contn.

• Similarly, in societies where women contribute
  significantly to household income, they may have
  more say in property decisions. Overall, womens
  decision-making power with regards to property
  ownership is shaped by a complex interplay of
  cultural, social, and economic factors and
  various widely across different societies and
  contexts (Baird Hartter, 2017).
• Womens decision making on property ownership
  refers to the ability of women to determine
  property ownership, especially in patriarchal
  societies where property is traditionally owned
  by men (Singh, Dorward Osbahr, 2016).

4
Contn.

• According to Lim (1983),in Most patriarchal
  societies, females are regarded as the inferior
  of the species. Because of this, women are denied
  access to both honored and utilitarian role open
  only to males such as administrations and
  disposal of property, leadership roles in
  societal affairs including religion and
  governance are exclusively belong to males.

5
Statement of Problem

• According to Kalkidan (2007), Women are the
  majority of the world's poor the economic and
  social gap between men and women remains unequal.
  Among 1.3 billion living in poverty in the world
  70 are women. Worldwide women do not equally
  own, inherit or control property, land and
  wealth. They have limited ownership of income,
  property and credit. The existing poverty gap has
  been directly linked to the existence of
  different stereotypes, traditions and cultural
  practices exercised in the world.

6
Cont

• Kandusi Waiganjo (2015) conducted a study on
  the social-cultural factors affecting Massa women
  participation in decision making in Tanzania. The
  study concluded that womens ideas are perceived
  as inferior to men and hence not given much
  consideration as useful contribution in the
  community. Women were found not seeing the
  benefits of getting involved in politics.
  Cultural ties still hinder women social
  acceptance in leadership positions. Similarly,
  Ashenafi (2019) conducted a study on the
  social-cultural factors affecting womens role
  and status in decision making in the case of
  Gimbi Town. The study concluded that
  socio-cultural beliefs and practices of the
  community under study promote the inequality of
  women in every sphere of life. Polygamous
  marriage, inheritance to male descendants through
  the father line, and male dominance are major
  cultural beliefs and practices in the society.
  Nkumbuku (2013) studied the social-cultural
  factors that affect womens decision making and
  conflict resolutions in Kenya by using both
  qualitative and quantitative methods. The study
  concluded that every person is equal before the
  law and has the right to equal protection and
  equal benefit of the law. Women and men have the
  right to equal treatment including the right to
  equal opportunity in politics, economic,
  cultural, and social spheres. However, these
  fundamental rights and freedoms are denied to
  certain sections of the community namely women
  and children.

7
Cont

• are major cultural beliefs and practices in the
  society. Nkumbuku (2013) studied the
  social-cultural factors that affect womens
  decision making and conflict resolutions in Kenya
  by using both qualitative and quantitative
  methods. The study concluded that every person is
  equal before the law and has the right to equal
  protection and equal benefit of the law. Women
  and men have the right to equal treatment
  including the right to equal opportunity in
  politics, economic, cultural, and social spheres.
  However, these fundamental rights and freedoms
  are denied to certain sections of the community
  namely women and children.

8
Cont

• My study aims to fill a research gap by focusing
  on womens decision making on property ownership
  in the Sidama region, specifically in the Chirone
  district. While previous studies have covered
  social and cultural factors affecting womens
  decision making in various contexts, none of them
  have addressed this specific issue (Womens
  decision-making on property ownership) and they
  did their study out of Sidamay region. I used a
  qualitative method to explore womens decision
  making on property ownership, which is a unique
  approach compared to previous studies that used
  quantitative or mixed methods. By providing
  valuable insights into this specific aspect, my
  study can help address the research gap.

9
Objective of the study

• 1.3.1 General objective of the study
• The general objective of this study is to
  investigate the factors that influence womens
  decision making on property ownership the case
  of chirone district of Sidama region.
• 1.3.2 Specific objectives of the study
• To discuss land tenure and gender at the selected
  area.
• To investigate matrimonial property regime and
  gender at the selected area.
• To analyze property inheritance and gender at the
  study area.
• To show the changes and continuities on property
  ownership of socio-cultural factors on womens
  participation in decision making on property
  ownership

10
Cont

• 1.4 Research questions
• 1. What are the factors that influencing womens
  participation in decision making on property
  ownership at the study area?
• 2. How are the land tenure system and its
  implications on gender equality at the study
  area?
• 3. How matrimonial property is accessed at the
  study area?
• 4. How is property inheritance managed at the
  study area?
• 5. What are the changes and continuities of
  social cultural factors on womens participation
  in decision making on property ownership at the
  study area?
• 1.5 Significance of the study
• The study has significant in many ways. Firstly,
  the study is important for government officials
  and others who work to address gender equality in
  the society. Secondly, it helps in identifying
  the various factors that affect womens
  participation in decision making on property
  ownership. Thirdly, it also important to provide
  information about factors that hinders women from
  decision making.

11
Methodology

• The study was focused on womens decision making
  on property ownership. To achieve the objectives
  of the study I used qualitative research method.
  Such methods are helpful in obtaining a closer
  investigation and it is appropriate in order to
  listen to what people have to say about their
  real lives as a matter of fact, the potential
  for listening is a major advantage of the
  qualitative method. I had chosen Chirone district
  which is located in Sidama Region as my research
  site because I got research assistance at the
  study area.
• Chirone is one of the districts which is found
  in Sidama Regional National State. It is
  separated from Hulla district in 2011E.C. It has
  9 rural Keble and 1 urban Keble. Chirone is
  bordered on the south by Oromia Region, on the
  west by Hula district, and on the east by Bona
  district of Sidama.

12
Cont

• Study design
• This study used a qualitative research design and
  uses the primary data sources in order to get
  first-hand information and secondary data sources
  those are written researches, articles and
  journals. And I used narrative method to analyze
  and organize data.
• Sampling type and size
• I used purposive sampling or non probability
  sampling. The research participants were selected
  based on the judgment of the researcher. Two
  Kebeles are selected namely Chironefuko, and
  Qarsa. The total respondents who participated in
  the study are forty eight. Women and men
  respondents were selected purposively. 18 men and
  30 women selected for interview, FGD, Key
  informant and case study.
• Data gathering instruments
• Primary and secondary data employed. Case study,
  semi-structured and unstructured interviews with
  in-depth interview, key informants and focus
  group discussions (FGD) employed to collect
  primary data. Moreover, literature reviews,
  journals and related researches are also used as
  secondary sources of data for the study.

13
Cont

• Data gathering instruments
• Primary and secondary data employed. Case study,
  semi-structured and unstructured interviews with
  in-depth interview, key informants and focus
  group discussions (FGD) employed to collect
  primary data. Moreover, literature reviews,
  journals and related researches are also used as
  secondary sources of data for the study.

14
. Findings and analysis

• Gender division of labor
• Data at the study area shows,gender division of
  labor is a deeply rooted cultural and social norm
  that prescribes what is appropriate and
  acceptable for men and women to do. Women are
  primarily responsible for domestic work, even if
  they are involved in outside activities, while
  men are involved in physically demanding tasks.
  Socialization plays a critical role in shaping
  individuals perceptions and attitudes towards
  work, as well as their choices and behaviors.
  Girls are taught to prioritize domestic tasks
  such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for
  children and the elderly over other things from a
  young age. In contrast, boys are socialized to
  view physical labor as a means of demonstrating
  their masculinity and providing for their family.

15
Cont.

• This division of labor has resulted in unequal
  access to resources between men and women. Women
  have limited access to land in the study area,
  which makes it difficult for them to own property
  and often leaves them in a disadvantaged position
  in decision-making processes. According to the
  findings from in-depth interviews and
  observations, most women spent much of their
  energy and time in domestic work. Men, on the
  other hand, typically engage in productive
  activities and these activities may only occur
  during certain seasons. This distinction between
  the roles of men and women in the study area can
  be seen as a reflection of traditional gender
  norms and expectations.

16
P?rsp?ctiv?s of wom?n on prop?rty own?rship and
d?cision-making

• Women in the study area face challenges in owning
  property due to societal norms and traditions
  that favor men. Many women reported experiencing
  unequal power dynamics within their households,
  leading to limited decision-making authority.
  Some participants highlighted the importance of
  legal knowledge to claim and protect their
  property rights. Women have been taught to
  prioritize family harmony and not to challenge
  the decisions made by men. It is a cultural norm
  that has been passed down for generations.
  However, some women participants said that women
  should have the same rights as men when it comes
  to owning property, and that they need to start
  changing the way they think about gender roles
  and responsibilities..

17
Cont

• The data revealed that the attitude of women
  towards themselves in decision making on property
  varies depending on various factors such as
  cultural beliefs, social norms, and the level of
  education. Women who are educated know about
  their legal rights and try to protect their
  rights on property. Property ownership in the
  study area is largely based on the patriarchal
  system, which puts men at the forefront of
  decision-making.

18
Perspective of men on womens property ownership
and decision-makig

• In a focus group of men with various ages and
  backgrounds, some participants agreed with the
  traditional view that men should be the primary
  owners and decision-makers of property due to
  cultural norms and gender roles. However, other
  participants challenged these norms and argued
  that women should have equal rights to own and
  make decisions about property. The majority of
  individual interviews also believed that property
  ownership is primarily a responsibility of men,
  as they are perceived as natural providers and
  protectors of their families, and owning property
  is seen as a way to fulfill that role. They also
  mention societal pressures and expectations on
  men to be financially successful, and property
  ownership is seen as a symbol of success.
  However, other participants believe that times
  are changing and women should have an equal say
  in property ownership and decision-making

19
Acc?ss, control and own?rship of prop?rty

• According to Nelson Norton (2004),ownership and
  control of an asset refer to having complete
  authority and responsibility over it. When
  someone owns an asset, they have exclusive rights
  over it, including the ability to transfer or
  sell it. In contrast, the right to use implies
  having permission to use someone elses property
  without having any control or ownership over it .
  
• During a focus group discussion, participants
  expressed that women have the right to control
  and administer only small assets like chicken and
  household tools. The responsibility of managing
  and controlling property like land, cattle, goat,
  sheep, and house (movable and immovable property)
  is the responsibility of men because men are the
  head of the family.

20
Cont

• Even if the property belongs to both husband and
  wife, she doesnt have absolute power equal to
  her spouse to decide on that property. On the
  other hand, the responsibility of women is
  managing household work, caring for the family
  and children. Men participants from FGD said it
  is important for men to have control over the
  familys land and other properties because men
  are the head of the household. It is their
  responsibility to make sure everything is taken
  care of.
• Th? data show, wom?n dont hav? th? right to
  inh?rit and own prop?rty du? to th? prop?rty is
  und?r th? control of m?n b?caus? m?n s??n as th?
  h?ad of th? hous?hold and family. Th? control of
  ass?ts is g?nd?r?d wom?n hav? low l?v?l of ass?t
  control pow?r and own?rship.

21
Cont

• My participants said, m?n hav? th? right of us?,
  control and own?rship of all prop?rti?s in th?
  family and wom?n can us? th? prop?rty as sh?
  liv?s in that family but sh? cant control or own
  most of th? prop?rty ?xc?pt a f?w prop?rti?s.
  Wom?n do not hav? th? right to control and own
  prop?rti?s lik? land, cattl?, sh??p and goats.
  Wom?n hav? limit?d rights on prop?rty to own and
  control.
• Th? Ethiopian Constitution's Articl? 35(7)
  d?clar?s that wom?n hav? th? right to own,
  manag?, control, utiliz?, and transf?r prop?rty.
  Th?y shar? th? sam? rights as m?n, in
  particular, wh?n it com?s to using,
  transf?rring, managing, and controlling
  land.Th?y will b? tr?at?d ?qually wh?n it com?s
  to prop?rty inh?ritanc?. Th? Ethiopian
  Constitution guarant??s ?qual prop?rty rights to
  m?n and wom?n. Th? data show?d that although th?
  constitution provid?s both m?n and wom?n th? sam?
  rights to own prop?rty, traditional cultural
  norms and practic?s, particularly thos? r?lating
  to fath?r-lin? succ?ssion, n?v?rth?l?ss obstacl?s
  to wom?n owning prop?rty.

22
Matrimonial prop?rty r?gim? and g?nd?r

• The data shows that gender plays a significant
  role in matrimonial property. Women are often
  disadvantaged by the existing legal framework and
  cultural norms that prioritize the interests of
  men. The majority of women interviewed reported
  that they had no say in the decision-making
  process regarding property acquisition during the
  marriage. One woman participant said there are
  limited control and decision-making power over
  matrimonial property. As she said, it is not the
  sole problem of her but it is widely experienced
  in the area. However, she acknowledged some
  progress in recent years with increased awareness
  of womens rights and education.
• The focus group discussions from both men and
  women also revealed that power dynamics, with men
  often holding more decision-making authority and
  control over marital assets. Traditional gender
  roles play a prominent role in shaping these
  dynamics over marital property.

23
Cont

• Some participants expressed their feelings for
  the need to change this power imbalance in
  matrimonial property. Cultural norms and
  practices influence the distribution of property
  during divorce or separation. It is customary for
  the husband to keep the family home and the land
  on which it is built while the wife may keep
  some movable property such as utensils and
  clothing. This practice often leaves women
  without any substantial assets, which can make it
  difficult for them to support themselves.
• During the key informants interviews with
  community elders, their perspectives on the
  matrimonial property regime and gender dynamics
  revealed important insights into traditional
  customs, cultural norms, and their impact on
  marital assets. The community elder expressed the
  belief that traditional customs and cultural
  norms influence the distribution of marital
  assets within the community.  He highlighted that
  customary practices often prioritize male
  inheritance and lineage, which can result in
  women having limited access to and control over
  marital property

24
Land t?nur? and g?nd?r

• Th? data r?v?al?d th? Sidama community follows a
  patrilin?al syst?m of inh?ritanc? wh?r? th? land
  is g?n?rally pass?d on from fath?r to son. Land
  is consid?ring as a valuabl? ass?t that provid?s
  social status, id?ntity, and ?conomic stability.
  Land own?rship has b??n a mal?-dominat?d affair,
  with m?n holding th? titl? to land whil? wom?ns
  acc?ss to land is quit? limit?d and controll?d by
  m?n.Wom?n in study ar?a still fac? significant
  barri?rs to obtaining land own?rship, including
  traditional laws and social norms.Wom?ns right
  to inh?ritanc?, prop?rty, and land own?rship ar?
  oft?n ignor?d or dismiss?d. In many cas?s, wom?n
  ar? not ?v?n consult?d about land us? d?cisions,
  ?v?n though th?y play a vital rol? in
  agricultural production.
• As my participants r?spons?, th?r? is th?
  g?nd?r-sp?cific natur? of land t?nur? in th?
  community.

25
Prop?rty inh?ritanc? and g?nd?r

• In Sidama culture at the study area, property
  inheritance is patriarchal, meaning that property
  is passed down from the fathers family to his
  sons. Women are typically excluded from
  inheriting major assets such as land and house,
  while men feel a sense of responsibility to
  uphold these practices. Families inherit their
  resources such as land, cattle, and others only
  for the boy. The discussions also highlight the
  concerns of women who perceive such exclusion as
  perpetuating gender disparities, limiting their
  economic independence. Meanwhile, most of the men
  defend these practices as necessary for
  preserving family resources and maintaining
  stability of family.

26
Summary of th? findings

• The study shows that women face challenges in
  owning property due to societal norms and
  traditions that favor men. Most women reported
  experiencing unequal power dynamics within their
  households, leading to limited decision-making
  authority. Some participants highlighted the
  importance of legal knowledge to claim and
  protect their property rights.
• The attitude of women towards themselves in
  decision-making on property varies depending on
  factors such as cultural beliefs, social norms,
  and education level. Women who are educated know
  about their legal rights and try to protect their
  rights on property. However, most women who are
  unable to challenge these cultural beliefs and
  social norms still face discrimination, which
  affects their self-esteem and self-worth

27
Cont.

• The study reveals that cultural norms and
  traditions passed down from generation to
  generation influence access, control, and
  ownership of property. Descent on the fathers
  line is significant, as it determines who has the
  right to own and inherit the familys land or
  property. Women who marry out are often excluded
  from inheritance or owning property within the
  family, which limits their economic autonomy and
  perpetuates gender inequality. The Ethiopian
  Constitution grants equal rights to property
  ownership for both men and women, but traditional
  practices and norm are contradict to this.
• The patriarchal system in the study area, which
  passes down land from fathers to sons, is rooted
  in traditional gender roles, where men hold most
  of the power and decision-making authority,
  including on property ownership. Women are
  expected to marry and live under their husbands
  family, making it difficult for them to own
  property. This power imbalance results in women
  being subordinated to men, with men having
  greater access to resources and
  opportunities. Patriarchal attitudes undermine
  womens property ownership in the study area, as
  they are often dominated by men in
  decision-making and control over property .

28
Cont.

• Generally, the study found that women face
  significant challenges in property ownership and
  decision-making due factors such as negative
  attitudes toward women, traditions, customary
  laws, and limited involvement in household
  decision-making. The patriarchal system and
  cultural practices limit womens decision-making
  power, discriminate against them, and increase
  their vulnerability .

29
Recommondations

• Bas?d on th? various probl?ms and obstacl?s, that
  hind?r wom?ns d?cision-making pow?r on prop?rty
  own?rship, th? r?s?arch?r would lik? to mak? th?
  following sugg?stions.
• ? Th? gap in prop?rty r?gistration and own?rship
  (Land and hous?) and policy impl?m?ntation,
  should b? ?nforc?d by laws to ?nsur? wom?n's
  acc?ss to, own?r and us? of prop?rty rights
  (movabl? and unmovabl?).
• ? Education, awar?n?ss and attitudinal chang?
  should b? n??d?d, if f?mal? (wom?n) ?ducat?d,
  th?y may know th?ir right and struggl? for th?ir
  prop?rty right and if th? attitud? of community
  chang?d toward wom?ns prop?rty own?rship, chang?
  will com?. Th?r?for?, cr?ating awar?n?ss,
  ?ducation and altitudinal chang? both (community
  l?v?l at alll) is th? important thing to bring
  chang?.
• ? B?caus? family commitm?nt has a significant
  rol? to bring chang? family m?mb?rs should
  ?ncourag? wom?n to fight for th?ir
  right.Subordination of wom?n and girls b?gins and
  is d?v?lop?d in th? family. As a r?sult, changing
  th? n?gativ? attitud? of th? famili?s is
  important.
• ? G?nd?r ?quality should b? taught to childr?n in
  both hom?s and schools.

30
Cont.

• Woman's affair offic? should tak? th? l?ad in
  ?ducating and assisting wom?n to d?v?lopm?nt
  wom?n s?lf-confid?nc? and prop?rty own?rship
• Th? gov?rnm?nt should b? ?nsur?d that th?
  polici?s and programs that hav? d?v?lop?d ar?
  prop?rly impl?m?nt?d.
• Th? gov?rnm?nt should b? also playing an activ?
  rol? in raising soci?ty's awar?n?ss of th?
  importanc? of wom?n's ?quality int?rims of
  prop?rty own?rship through ?ducational curriculum
  of th? country's ?ducation and through mass
  m?dia.
•