Thesis and Dissertations

Attitudes, values and norms towards marriage in Adet town and surrounding areas, North Gojjam zone in Amhara region, Ethiopia

2026-06-05T07:03:53Z

Attitudes, values and norms towards marriage in Adet town and surrounding areas, North Gojjam zone in Amhara region, Ethiopia Atta, Zemed Marriage in Ethiopia is undergoing significant transformation due to urbanization, education, and shifting gender norms, yet localized studies on evolving marital attitudes remain scarce. This study investigates the prevailing attitudes, values, and norms toward marriage in Adet Town and surrounding areas, North Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia, where traditional expectations increasingly intersect with modern influences. This research addresses key gaps by exploring how socio-demographic factors shape marital perceptions and the implications for policy and community interventions. Employing a concurrent mixed-methods design, the study combined quantitative surveys (N=372) with qualitative data from focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs). Quantitative findings revealed strong endorsement of marriage, with mean scores significantly exceeding test values, and occupation significantly influenced perspectives, with men, rural residents, and economically stable individuals holding more traditional views. Qualitative insights highlighted tensions between arranged and love marriages, economic barriers, and generational divides, with youth prioritizing education and financial independence over early marriage. Results indicate that while marriage remains a cornerstone of social life, attitudes are shifting, particularly among urban and educated youth. Persistent challenges include early marriage in rural areas, gendered marital expectations, and economic pressures delaying unions. The study concludes that marital norms in Adet and its surrounding areas reflect a dynamic interplay between tradition and modernization, necessitating culturally sensitive interventions. Recommendations include strengthening community awareness programs on gender equity and legal marriage age, supporting youth education and economic empowerment to reduce financial barriers to marriage, and fostering intergenerational dialogue to reconcile traditional and modern marital values. Future research shall adopt longitudinal designs to track these changes and their societal impacts.

Post-Divorce Conflict: Among Ex-Spouses in Surrounding Rural Kebeles under Bahir Dar City Administration

2025-07-22T08:01:19Z

Post-Divorce Conflict: Among Ex-Spouses in Surrounding Rural Kebeles under Bahir Dar City Administration Gedefaw, Milkias Post-divorce conflict among ex-spouses has emerged as a significant concern in the rural kebeles surrounding Bahir Dar City Administration. This study sought to explore the nature, causes, and consequences of such conflicts using a qualitative approach and a case study design. Participants were selected purposively and included seven divorced men and women for in-depth interviews, along with three key informants knowledgeable about family and divorce-related issues. Data collection methods comprised both in-depth and key informant interviews, with thematic analysis employed to interpret the findings. The study identified several key conditions that contributed to post-divorce conflict, including concealment of property and assets, failure to comply with child support obligations, betrayal, interference from extended family members, and complications arising from remarriage. These conflicts manifested in multiple forms, such as verbal abuse, threats, physical violence, public humiliation, and involvement of extended families, often exacerbating tensions. The consequences were profound, leading to economic hardship— particularly for women—emotional distress, deterioration in physical and mental health, diminished social status, and strained parent-child relationships. Efforts to resolve these conflicts typically involved traditional mechanisms such as shimgilina, the intervention of family and religious elders, and, in cases where informal approaches were ineffective or biased, formal legal measures. The findings of this study hold critical implications for social work and policy-making by underscoring the importance of contextually tailored interventions. These include counseling services, legal assistance, and community-based mediation strategies designed to reduce post- divorce hostility and enhance the well-being of divorced individuals and their children through culturally sensitive support systems

Psychosocial Challenges and Resilience of Internally Displaced Persons (In Reference to Tehuledere Woreda, South Wollo Zone)

2024-12-16T07:37:58Z

Psychosocial Challenges and Resilience of Internally Displaced Persons (In Reference to Tehuledere Woreda, South Wollo Zone) Frehiwot, Asres Internally Displaced persons (IDPs) face numerous challenges. IDPs appear to demonstrate resilience and utilize fostering strategies to help themselves at individual and community level. However, little is known about this relationship in Ethiopia particularly in this study area. Thus this study aimed at understanding psychosocial challenges and resilience of IDPs. A concurrent explanatory mixed methods design was followed. 5 Key informants &7intervewees 216 IDPS were participants, who were selected by utilizing purposive and available sampling techniques. An adapted form of Conner- Davidson resilience scale, adapted closed ended psychosocial measuring scale and semi-structured interviews were utilized to collect data. Quantitative data were analysed using T- test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation and multiple regressions. And qualitative data were analysed thematically. The qualitative analysis revealed that psychosocial challenges particularly psychological, social and economic challenges are common among IDPS, yet the level of the challenges vary depending on their socio-demographic backgrounds. Women, farmers, single headed family, and camp-IDPs experienced more psychosocial challenges than the rest IDPs. The quantitative data also showed that among 216 IDPs, 46.3% were resilient (with mean, M=82.26, SD= 7.08) while 53.7% had lower resilience (with the mean, M=68.15, SD= 4.20). A t-test analysis indicated gender (male & female) & residence (camp & non-comp) brought significant mean differences in resilience measure. A correlation analysis revealed strong positive significant association between resilience and factors where the correlation was strong with social support and cohesion (r=.725, p<.000), religiousness and spirituality (r= .667, p<.000), and psychosocial challenge (r=.518, p<.000). Furthermore, a regression analysis revealed that 64% (adjusted R2=.64) of the variation in resilience scores among IDPs was accounted for the variation in getting social support & cohesion, living with religious beliefs & spirituality, and the ability to cope with psychosocial challenges. It was also found that social support and cohesiveness has greater value in explaining IDPs resilience (Beta=.467 or 46.7%, p<.000), indicating that IDPs social environment and closer relationships were more likely to build resilience among IDPs. The findings highlighted the need for support programs to invest on identifying and nurturing factors that improve IDP resilience for sustainable solutions.

The Role of Microfinance institution on Women’s Economic Empowerment; The Case of Acsi Bahir Dar City Administration

2024-11-14T07:05:05Z

The Role of Microfinance institution on Women’s Economic Empowerment; The Case of Acsi Bahir Dar City Administration Muluken, Alemayehu Throughout the world the delivery of microfinance is one of the approaches to the empowerment of women. The general objective of this thesis was to examine the roles of ACSI on women’s economic empowerment at Bahir Dar city administration. A total of 333 samples were selected by simple Random sampling technique using Yamane's (1967) suggested formula. Data were collected through questionnaires. The data were analyzed in quantitative methods. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the result of the study indicates that the micro-finance role has a positive impact on their income, asset ownership, and consumption diet condition, however, the finding didn’t show the effect of ACSI on married women's decision-making in the household.The strengthened development of MFI in Ethiopia appropriate and appreciated policy instrument for empowering women economically but still has gaps giving women access to resources does not always mean empowering them economically because most Ethiopian women are illiterate and has cultural influence, Beyond financial support, the contribution of micro-finance services to women economic empowerment should be enhanced through a communication of more effective supports services of MFIs, or linkage should be essentialwith services provide other agencies including origination that work directly to enhance gender mainstreaming, women marginalization & subordination by helping to improve the economic status of women.