One of the major problems in Ethiopia is the treatment of women. Although the United Nations defines the promotion of gender equality as one of its millennium development goals, Ethiopia continues to lag behind. For example, there is a vast disparity between the youth literacy rates for males and the youth literacy rates for females in Ethiopia. 62 percent of males aged 15-24 are literate, while only 39 percent of females aged 15-24 are literate (CIA).
Also, female genital cutting is very prevalent in Ethiopia. Almost three quarters (74%) of women have been subjected to female genital cutting (GTZ). Although FGM tends to be most prominent in Muslim countries or countries where older tribal religions are most prevalent, Ethiopia is a largely Christian country (CIA). Therefore, FGM seems to be passed along through ethnic tradition. 6 percent of women have undergone infibulation, which is most prevalent among the Somali, an ethnic group (GTZ). Although the Ethiopian government enacted a statute banning FGM, no one has been convicted under this law (GTZ).
Although the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals tend to focus on education and employment opportunities for women, it seems that deeply-rooted cultural practices such as female genital mutilation should also be an important focus to end gender inequality for good. Gender equality is not measured by schooling and employment alone. Sexual freedom and the ability to enjoy one's sexuality is also unequally distributed among the sexes in Ethiopia.
Progress Toward Millennium Development Goals:
Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education, no later than 2015 (UN):
"More than 60 per cent of primary school children did not have the chance to continue to grade 5. Girls’ repetition and drop out rates are higher than boys." (Unicef).
"Girls’ participation is lower than boys for all regions except the capital city Addis Ababa. Nationally the female and male enrollment rate in 2002/2003 is 0.7." (Unicef).
So far, Ethiopia has yet to achieve gender equality, especially in rural areas.
Sources: CIA World Factbook,Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ): http://www.gtz.de/en/dokumente/en-fgm-countries-ethiopia.pdf, UNICEF: http://www.unicef.org/ethiopia/children_394.html
