Women’s path to political offices in post-1991 Ethiopia

This study examines the political path of women in the context of the post-1991political changes in Ethiopia. Using the data gathered from about 250 parliamentarians of the House of Peoples Representatives (HoPRs), 150 aspirants of national political parties, representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs) and archival sources, it reveals important gender dynamics, taking into account factors such as age, marital status and partner support, children’s age, and educational status. The outcome of the analyses of these factors in this study also show linkages with women’s pre-parliamentary political activism, representative motivation, source of political support, reelection interest, leadership preference and status, and pushing factors forcing women to terminate their political activities. Furthermore, the finding confirmed the extent of commonalties and differences between female and male incumbents and aspirants, in the sense that social and political backgrounds of women affect their access to political organizations or parties, elective offices, and ultimately their substantive political representation.