STUDY ON WOMEN’S PROPERTY RIGHTS IN AFAR AND OROMIYA REGIONS, ETHIOPIA Fiona Flintan, Solomon Demlie, Mohammed Awol, Zahra Humed, Yemane Belete and Honey Lemma 2008 INDEX 1.0 INTRODUCTION............................................................................ 1 1.1 Background to the Study ....................................................................................... 1 1.2 CARE International’s Gender Policy................................................................... 1 1.3 Objectives and Scope of the Study....................................................................... 3 1.4 Area of Study............................................................................................................. 4 1.5 Research Team.......................................................................................................... 4 1.6 Methodologies Used ................................................................................................ 5 1.7 Limitations of the Study ........................................................................................... 7 1.8 Structure of the Report .......................................................................................... 7 2.0 PASTORAL WOMEN AND PROPERTY RIGHTS....................... 8 2.1 Introduction to Property Rights............................................................................ 8 2.2 Property Rights in Pastoral Communities........................................................... 9 2.3 Women’s Rights to and ‘Ownership’ of Livestock ........................................... 9 2.3.1 Nominal Property ..................................................................................................... 11 2.3.2 Bridewealth and Dowries ....................................................................................... 11 2.3.3 Purchasing, Sale, Disposal or Change of Livestock.......................................... 11 2.3.4 Pasture ........................................................................................................................ 12 2.3.5 Livestock Marketing and Products....................................................................... 12 2.3.6 Other Small Stock.................................................................................................... 14 2.4 Ownership and Control of Natural Resources............................................... 14 2.5 Religion ..................................................................................................................... 15 3.0 ETHIOPIA POLICY AND LEGISLATION .................................. 17 3.1 Federal....................................................................................................................... 17 3.1.1 Constitution................................................................................................................ 17 3.1.2 Policy for Women..................................................................................................... 18 3.1.3 Family Law ................................................................................................................. 19 3.1.4 Civil Code.................................................................................................................... 20 3.1.5 Land............................................................................................................................ 21 3.1.6 Water.......................................................................................................................... 23 3.1.7 Dissemination of the Laws..................................................................................... 24 3.1.8 Court System............................................................................................................. 25 3.1.9 Family Arbitration....................................................................................................... 25 3.2 Sharia Law ................................................................................................................ 26 4.0 REGIONAL POLICIES, LEGISLATION AND LAWS................ 28 4.1 Afar ............................................................................................................................ 28 4.1.1 Regional Government Policies, Laws and Regulations..................................... 28 4.1.2 Customary Social Organisation............................................................................. 28 4.1.3 Customary Laws and Regulations ........................................................................ 29 4.2 Oromiya..................................................................................................................... 33 4.2.1 Regional Government Policies, Laws and Regulations..................................... 33 4.2.2 Customary Social Organisation............................................................................... 34 4.2.3 Customary Laws and Regulations ........................................................................ 36 5.0 IN PRACTICE: BARRIERS AND CHALLENGES ...................... 40 5.1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 40 i 5.2 Societal/Institutional Barriers and Challenges..................................................... 40 5.2.1 Afar .............................................................................................................................. 40 5.2.2 Oromiya...................................................................................................................... 47 5.3 Community Barriers and Challenges.................................................................... 55 5.3.1 Afar .............................................................................................................................. 56 5.3.2 Oromiya...................................................................................................................... 57 5.4 Relational and Household Barriers and Challenges .......................................... 60 5.4.1 Afar ............................................................................................................................. 60 5.4.2 Oromiya.......................................................................................................................... 62 5.5 Individual Barriers and Challenges......................................................................... 65 5.5.1 Afar .............................................................................................................................. 65 5.5.2 Oromiya...................................................................................................................... 66 6.0 KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS GAPS............................................... 68 6.1 Amongst Elders and Clan Leaders ........................................................................ 68 6.2 Amongst Government Offices............................................................................... 69 6.3 Amongst NGOs ........................................................................................................ 70 6.4 Amongst Women Themselves............................................................................... 71 7.0 ISSUES FOR ADVOCACY .............................................................. 73 7.1 Updating Laws, Codes and Regulations ............................................................... 73 7.2 Practicing Written Law............................................................................................ 73 7.3 Improved Legal Services and Revised System of Family Arbitration............. 73 7.4 Raising Awareness Amongst Women and Men ................................................. 74 7.5 Strengthening of Customary Institutions............................................................. 74 7.6 Abolishing Bride Price.............................................................................................. 75 7.7 Equitable Land Distribution and Reform ............................................................. 75 7.8 Advocating for Better Regional and Local Government Support.................. 75 8.0 FORMAL AND NON-FORMAL LEADERSHIP STRUCTURES . 77 8.1 Elders and Clan Leaders .......................................................................................... 77 8.1.1 Afar .............................................................................................................................. 77 8.1.2 Oromiya...................................................................................................................... 77 8.2 Local Government .................................................................................................... 78 8.2.1 Afar .............................................................................................................................. 78 8.2.2 Oromiya...................................................................................................................... 79 8.3 Local Law Courts...................................................................................................... 79 8.3.1 Afar .............................................................................................................................. 79 8.3.2 Oromiya...................................................................................................................... 80 8.4 Education and Schools ............................................................................................