Social Anthropology

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://etd.hu.edu.et/handle/123456789/156

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THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF INDUCED ABORTION AMONG THE WOMEN OF WOLAITA SODO TOWN, SOUTH ETHIOPIA REGIONAL STATE
(HAWASSA UNIVERSITY, 2024-06) DIANA WADILO WANA
The social and psychological experiences of women after induced abortion are challenging. However, there is a lack of information about the experience of women who encountered induced abortion in southern Ethiopia, specifically in Wolaita Sodo town. This study was conducted with the objective of investigating the lived experiences of women who engaged in induced abortion among the women of Wolaita Sodo town. To this end, a qualitative study was employed. Women with the experience of induced abortion were included in the study until information saturation was reached. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants. Data were collected through interviews using focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), in-depth interviews, observation, and case studies. Regarding data analysis, the study followed the steps of social phenomenology. The findings of the study show the interplay of religious beliefs, societal values, community perceptions, and attitudes towards abortion practice, revealing a spectrum of responses influenced by cultural and generational divides. Many of the women undergo induced abortion without being emotionally prepared, driven by the fear of societal stigma and the pressure to meet societal expectations. They often do this in secrecy, hurriedly, in constrained environments, and, worst of all, under unprofessional guidance. The women prefer death over being mocked by society. The societal moral rule of not killing the baby is effectively taking a grown woman's life, exacerbating risks, some of which are life-threatening and others irreversible. Additionally, the blame and expectations fall solely on the women, making them bear the guilt. Health workers, women of childbearing age, and young unmarried women need to work together to discuss how to control unplanned pregnancies, avoid judgment, and listen to one another. Guidance and counseling services in hospitals are recommended.
THE LIVING CONDITION OF SLUM DWELLERS IN ARADA KEBELE OF WOLAITA SODO CITY ADMINISTRATION, SOUTH CENTRAL ETHIOPIA
(HAWASSA UNIVERSITY, 2023-11) TEKALIGN HAILE HALABO
A slum is a residential area with inferior housing that is underserved and/or overcrowded, resulting in unhealthy, unsafe, and socially unpleasant living conditions. A single residence can fit within this category, but the phrase is typically reserved for bigger areas, either rural or, more commonly, urban. The study is intended to investigate the living conditions of slum dwellers in Wolaita Sodo city administration in a particular area called Arada Kebele. The main aim of this thesis rests on describing the lived experiences and coping mechanisms of slum dwellers, exploring the impacts and consequences of current urban expansion on the slum dwellers in the study area, and exploring the challenges and opportunities of people living in the slum settlement. In doing so, the researcher has employed a qualitative research approach and methods, including FGDs, key informant interviews, observation, and case study methods, by using a purposive sampling design. The data grasped from the site is then analysed through the thematic analysis method, a process that includes arranging, coding, and presenting empirical data from the field, and finally, its findings are presented through narration. The findings indicated that people in the slum environment of the study area are living a miserable life and facing health problems, economic disorder, and social and cultural change due to urban expansion and modernization, and thus its inhabitants are marginalised and economically poor. Even though poverty and rural-urban migration are the major challenges of urban slums, the study mainly focused on the lived experience and the impact of urban expansion on the dwellers and the geographical set and or physical environment of the study area. Finally, based on the findings, recommendations are forwarded.
THE ROLE OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES IN NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: A CASE OF MARAK’A WOREDA, DAWURO ZONE, SOUTH WEST ETHIOPIA PEOPLES REGION.
(HAWASSA UNIVERSITY, 2023-11) AMANUEL ALKASA
The aim of this study was to investigate the indigenous knowledge and practices on natural resource management in Marak’a woreda. The objective of this study was to investigate the indigenous knowledge and practices on natural resource management in Marak’a woreda. The study was conducted with the utilization of a descriptive type of qualitative anthropological research method by using both primary and secondary data sources with appropriate data collection methods such as interview, FGD, observation, and document review. Generally, the major finding of the study shows the use of a wide range of indigenous knowledge and practices in natural resource management, including in the human and spiritual worlds, as well as biological and physical attributes that contribute to sustainable resource management. The role of humans in this case is to protect and sustain the equilibrium of the systems and to abide by the established distance and respect for every relationship. Moreover, the dif erent indigenous knowledge and practices have a function in adapting to climate change. Soil erosion, water scarcity, and loss of plant cover were the environmental problems of the study. Local people have been employing various indigenous practices to solve the problems. These local people solve environmental problems people of the study area have their own traditional ecological knowledge that has sustained the natural resources to present. The customary laws of practices have played a great role in natural resource conservation. Different indigenous practices in soil and water conservation, as well as plant management, of people in the area were identified. Traditional beliefs also contributed to natural resource conservation, besides their main purpose in the area. The study asserted that farmers have valuable knowledge of natural resource conservation in the area; however, their practice needs some kind of improvement for sustainability. Moreover, the influencing challenges for the practice are both environmental and socio-economic factors. Such challenges are the expansion of farmland, poverty, the weakening of traditional governance, and the influence of formal education and Christianity. It is concluded that deep-rooted indigenous conservation needs to be assured to sustain resource use. Finally, based on the findings, recommendations are forwarded.
THE ROLES AND CHALLENGES OF YOUTHS IN BUILDING SOCIAL COHESION IN SHASHEMENE, WEST ARSI, OROMIA, ETHIOPIA
(HAWASSA UNIVERSITY, 2024-06) AWRARIS GIRMA
This study examines youths’ positive roles in building social cohesion in Bulchana Woreda of Shashemene city. The study shows the positive roles of youths in building social cohesion beyond youths roles in peace building which is one of the five dimensions of social cohesion. The study employed qualitative approach along with ethnographic research design. The data was collected using observation, in-depth interview and focus group discussion and utilized thematic method of data analysis. The study shows youths’ involved in voluntary activities that foster civic culture, social order, social solidarity, social network and place attachment in the society. The study finding shows youths involved in feeding, visiting, renewing house, buying medicine, sanitary products, food oil and floor for helpless people and by enrolling children of helpless into education. Youths also donate blood, create awareness about tax payment, join militia groups, involved in peace discussion and organize peace programs. Additionally, they are involved in summer voluntary teaching, in cleaning their environment and in sport events. Youths’ helpfulness and society’s cooperation are the social factors that contributed for youths’ involvement in the activities of fostering social cohesion. Lack of permanent support and funding and unemployment are the factors that affect youths’ involvement in voluntary activities that foster social cohesion. Therefore, local government should have to provide permanent support and funding and foster different programs to address youths’ challenge in building social cohesion in the Woreda.
URBAN LAND EXPROPRIATION AND ITS IMPACTS ON LOCAL COMMUNITY: THE CASE OF PERI-URBAN AREA OF KOMBOLCHA, NORTHEAST ETHIOPIA
(HAWASSA UNIVERSITY, 2024-06) MOHAMMED SEID EBRAHIM
Land expropriation for urban development becomes a hot issue due to rapid urbanization. While expropriation can facilitate urban development, balancing urban expansion with welfare of evicted community is important. This study explores the practice of land expropriation and its impact on local community in the peri-urban area of Kombolcha, Northeast Ethiopia. To achieve this objective, the study used primary data collection methods such as observation, semi structured interview and focus group discussions. The finding revealed that acquisition of land for urban expansion was undertaken without timely notification, inadequate prior public consultation, and exclusion of evicted community from decision-making regarding valuation and compensation. This hinders the affected individuals from effectively preparing and speaking about their rights. The compensation process also looks inconsistent and delay payment, incompletely income assessed, inadequate consideration of some individuals and communal assets, leaving affected households with little influence over the process. The nature of implementation, along with the devastating loss of their lands negatively influences their perceptions towards expropriation. However, the study revealed that the community may collaborate if some pre-conditions are fulfilled. The finding also indicated that expropriation exposes the evicted groups to several socioeconomic challenges including displacement from their livelihoods, loss of income and jobs, which further worsen by inconsistence compensation and lack of comprehensive entrepreneurial training. The social challenges includes erosion of long-standing social networks and established mutual working and support systems, like Jige and Iddir associations. Additionally, the expropriation widens the social class gap by stripping people of their landholding status. The study also revealed that expropriation affects the provisioning services of environment. Thus, the study recommends that ensuring effectiveness of established expropriation proclamations and minimizes widening effect of expropriation needs consideration, unless it may raises concerns over procedural fairness and legitimacy of the process.
WAR IN NORTHERN ETHIOPIA (2020-2022): POST-WAR RECOVERY, CHALLENGES AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE MECHANISM IN DESSIE TOWN.
(HAWASSA UNIVERSITY, 2023-11) HELEN GETACHEW
The aim of this study is to assess the war in northern Ethiopia; the study specifically focuses on investigating the situation in Dessie town and also explores the post-war recovery, challenges faced and resilience mechanisms of the communities of Dessie. The war in North Ethiopia has had a devastating impact on the region, causing widespread damage to livelihoods, social fabric and infrastructure. In Dessie Town, one of the major urban centers in the region, communities are facing various challenges in their post-war recovery, including infrastructure damage, economic disruption, social displacement and Psychological trauma. This thesis has therefore, examined the impact of the war in North Ethiopia on Dessie Town, the challenges that communities are facing in their post-war recovery, and the community resilience mechanisms that they have developed to cope with these challenges.Methodologically, the study employed a qualitative approach and diversified data-gathering techniques such as observation, interviews, focus groups, informal conversation and case study. Thematic analysis is then used to describe, explain and discuss the data gathered from the field. By following the above procedures, the study revealed that, communities in Dessie Town have shown remarkable resilience. They have developed a number of community resilience mechanisms to help them cope with the post-war challenges, such as: Social support networks, mutual aid groups, and community-based organizations. Furthermore the finding shows that rebuilding infrastructure is one of the most significant community-based initiatives. Repairs to schools, bridges, and roads are included in the initiative. Access to sanitary facilities and clean water are also included. Another important community-based initiative is the provision of social services. This includes providing food, shelter, and healthcare to the people who need it most. The provision of social services helps to meet the immediate needs of the people of Dessie and to help them to rebuild their lives.