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Short Summary |
This African News Agency (Afrol) Gender Profile
argues that Ethiopia remains one of Africa's most traditional societies.
Although the Ethiopian constitution provides for the equality of women,
these provisions are often not applied in practice. Wife beating and
marital rape are pervasive social problems. While women have recourse
to the police and the courts, societal norms and limited infrastructure
inhibit many women from seeking legal redress, especially in remote
areas. 72.7 per cent of the female population undergo Female Genital
Mutilation (FGM) and FGM is not specifically prohibited by law. The
maternal mortality rate in Ethiopia is extremely high due, in part,
to food taboos for pregnant women, poverty, early marriage, and birth
complications related to FGM. This gender profile lists a range of
social data on Ethiopia, including life expectancy, sex ratio and
access to medical services. It also contains links to relevant news
articles and background presentations on Ethiopia. |
http://www.afrol.com/Categories/Women/profiles/ethiopia_women.htm
