Ethiopian Journals Online (EJOL)
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Behind Bars with their Mothers : Children's Experiences at a Selected Female Prison and Correctional Facility in Zimbabwe
No full textThis study sought to understand experiences of children living with their incarcerated mothers in a designated female prison and correctional facility in Zimbabwe. Employing a qualitative approach for data collection, analysis, and discussion, the research included a sample of seven mothers residing with their children in Shurugwi Female Prison, as well as ten purposively selected correctional officers. The analysis revealed that the prison environment presents significant challenges for children, primarily due to a lack of essential resources for healthy development and the pervasive loneliness caused by the absence of peers for play. Other detrimental factors affecting the well-being of these children include inadequate nutrition and limited access to healthcare services. The study underscores that the incarceration of children not only violates their rights but also negatively impacts their overall well-being; thus, prioritizing non-custodial measures in such situations is crucial
Gender role construction through birth ritual in Dorze community
Full text linkThis study examines the construction of gender roles within the Dorze community through the lens of birth ceremonies. It aims to identify the gender roles reflected within these ceremonies and reveal the values associated with them. The study employs a qualitative research design, utilizing data gathered from both primary and secondary sources. Data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and document reviews. The gathered information was then analyzed within the frameworks of Social Constructionism and Symbolic Interactionism theories. According to the analysis the choice of birthing location, expressions of joy, Seating arrangements for guests, the reception of the paternal grandfather and Postpartum events serve as key indicators of gender roles within the community's birth ceremonies. The findings confirm that masculinity is prominently associated with roles of ownership, inheritance, and decision-making, while femininity is framed primarily through the role of caregiving
Government Secondary School Teachers’ Preferred and Perceived Leadership Styles, Professional Commitment, Retention and Job Satisfaction in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: The Path-Goal Theory in Focus
Full text linkBy using a correlational design, this study examined the relationship among leadership style, teachers' professional commitment, teacher retention and job satisfaction in Addis Ababa government secondary schools. Data was collected from a random sample of 293 teachers drawn from 11 government secondary schools using three standardised measures after adopting them for use in the present context. The collected data was analysed using t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis. The results indicated a significant positive correlation with moderate magnitude between job satisfaction on the one hand and professional commitment, leadership style and teacher retention on the other. The findings also showed that (i) teachers’ job satisfaction is significantly better under participative leadership than directive leadership; (ii) whereas participative leadership is by far the most preferred style, the leadership style practised, as perceived by most teachers, is directive leadership followed by participative leadership; (iii) participative leadership style, professional commitment, teacher retention, achievement-oriented leadership style, length of teaching service and educational qualification are significant predictors of teachers’ job satisfaction. Whereas the variables jointly accounted for 53 percent of the variance in teachers’ job satisfaction, participative leadership alone accounted for 33.6 percent of the variance in job satisfaction. It may be concluded, based on the findings, that participative leadership is the strongest predictor of teachers’ job satisfaction and a leadership style a large majority of teachers prefer. Directions for future research are suggested
The Qaalluu institution: An indigenous peacebuilding practice among the Gujii Oromoo in southern Ethiopia
No full textWe examine how the Qaalluu institution contributes to peacemaking and the administration of justice among the Gujii community. The Qaalluu institution is one of the many Gujii Oromoo indigenous institutions of conflict resolution, used exclusively to settle various types of charged disputes. By examining the histories of the community and neighboring ethnic groups, our study revealed that Abba Qaallu is a vital leader who governs all aspects of social, environmental, and political life. The Qaalluu institution, led by Abba Qaallu, is an organized structure composed of counselors that governs Gujii Oromoo and other neighboring ethnic groups, following supernatural (Waaqa’s) law and order
Export and Import Knowledge as Drivers of Technological Innovation and Firm Performance: Evidence from Ethiopian SMEs
No full textThe main focus of this research is to analyze the influence of two major constructs of export and import knowledge on technological innovation and firm performance of among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Ethiopia. In this study two theoretical views KBV and RBV has been considered. The research fully utilized the quantitative approach and the data was collected through structural questionnaire to 331 SMEs located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings of the study indicates that both export and import knowledge significantly influence technological innovation and firm performance. The result shows that the most significant predictor of performance was technological innovation so it confirming in translating international knowledge into competitive advantage. According to the mediation analysis technological innovation is partially mediates the relationships between export and import knowledge and firm performance which indicating that knowledge acquired from international operation leads to superior results primarily through innovation activities. With R² = 0.421 for performance and 0.178 for innovation, the structural model shows substantial explanatory power and with Q² = 0.288 for performance and 0.114 for innovation, the model also shows considerable predictive relevance. However, the study used cross sectional design, depend on self-reported data, and utilized data from one city limit the ability to draw causal inferences andto generalize the findings. It is recommended that future research uses the longitudinal design and an objective performance measure, and cover a wide range of SMEs sectors and regional areas
Coping Strategies of Delayed Transition-To-Work of Higher Institution Graduates in Sebeta, Oromia Region
Full text linkThe school-to-work transition marks a critical turning point, making young individuals’ shift from formal education to the labor market and their quest for economic independence. In Ethiopia, however, a growing number of higher education graduates, coupled with limited job growth, have made this transition increasingly complex and challenging. This study investigated the coping strategies graduates employ to navigate these challenges. Using a qualitative case study approach, 16 participants were purposefully selected from two groups: unemployed and underemployed graduates. Primary data were collected through in-depth interviews, semi-structured interviews, supplemented by secondary source review. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results show that graduates adopt a combination of coping strategies rather than a single approach. These include seeking familial and network support; marriage and cohabitation; casual labor; commuting for work; leveraging political connections, volunteerism and freelance services; and religious engagement. These strategies are not mutually exclusive. The support graduates receive is often contingent on situational factors, necessitating dynamic switching between mechanisms. For policymakers, these findings highlight the need for interventions that address graduates’ specific needs, considering situational nature of their coping strategies and local opportunities to enhance effectiveness
“Let Even the Enemy itself not be Childless”: Exploring the Psychosocial Challenges of Couples with Primary and Secondary Infertility
Full text linkMarriage and social life present significant challenges for couples without children in developing countries. This study aims to explore the psychological and social difficulties faced by both primary and secondary infertile couples in Ethiopia. Conducted as a qualitative research, the study involved 18 participants -12 individuals from couples experiencing primary infertility and 6 individuals from couples dealing with secondary infertility. Participants were selected using purposive maximum variation sampling. The results revealed that infertile couples faced marital challenges, negative comments, and harsh criticism from family members and the community. Women, in particular, bore a disproportionate share of this burden. Key issues included communication breakdowns, the availability and accessibility of infertility treatment, and financial hardships, all of which contributed to adverse emotional experiences for the couples. Furthermore, there was a notable lack of formal counseling services and psychosocial support at infertility treatment centers. The study underscores the urgent need for psychosocial interventions that incorporate comprehensive support services to improve the well-being of infertile couples at the community level
Teacher Attrition and Motivation in Ethiopia: Prevalence, Associated Factors and Influences
Full text linkThis study examines the intricate interplay between teacher attrition and motivation, emphasizing their significant implications for educational systems, student achievement, and community wellbeing. Attrition among skilled educators driven by personal factors, institutional challenges, and interrelated variables disrupts learning environments and erodes school culture. Employing a triangulated research design, the study integrates quantitative and qualitative methods, including desk reviews, teacher surveys, focus group discussions, and administrative data analysis, to capture both statistical trends and lived experiences. Findings suggest that schools fostering supportive, secure, and well-compensated workplaces are more successful in attracting and retaining high-performing teachers. Professional development, well-being initiatives, and fair evaluation systems further enhance retention. However, economic pressures, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, with Ethiopia as a focal case, exacerbate attrition, as stagnant salaries fail to keep pace with inflation. Addressing this issue requires systemic reform and improved economic conditions. Given the diverse political, cultural, and socioeconomic contexts across regions, further localized research is essential to develop effective, sustainable solutions
Agency in Adversity: How Long-Term Unemployed Youth Construct Survival Pathways in Hosanna City, Ethiopia
No full textYouth unemployment is not only widespread but increasingly prolonged, posing complex challenges for community well-being and sustainable development. Nevertheless, it is often measured in statistics rather than understood through the lived experiences of youth themselves. Moreover, research and policy debates frequently frame long-term unemployed youth as passive, dependent, and vulnerable, overlooking the resilience, creativity, and adaptability they display in navigating everyday survival. Addressing this gap, this study explored the survival strategies of long-term unemployed youth in Hosanna City, Ethiopia. Using a phenomenological design, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 participants and analyzed the data through Colaizzi’s method to ensure analytical rigor and thematic depth. From 45 significant statements, four interrelated themes emerged: economic and material survival, social and collective survival, psychological adaptation, and aspirations for migration and self-improvement. The findings show that young people actively develop practical and context-specific strategies to cope with prolonged unemployment. However, these strategies are largely reactive, shaped by structural constraints within labor markets, education systems, and social protection frameworks. Consequently, survival often entails significant personal trade-offs, including delayed transitions into adulthood and the normalization of precarity. While resilience is evident, it should not be romanticized as a sustainable solution to structural unemployment. Instead, policy interventions should move beyond supporting mere survival and instead promote sustainable livelihood pathways by expanding access to decent work, state-funded mega projects such as industrial parks, airports, and railways, entrepreneurship and agro-processing initiatives, skills development, and safe, legal migration opportunities
Gendered Dimensions of Reparations: Addressing the Harm of Wartime Sexual Violence Through African Feminist Policy Lenses
No full textGiven various peace agreements and transitional justice programmes, the gendered aspects of reparations are frequently overlooked, resulting in inadequate retribution for survivors, the majority of whom are women and girls. The paper investigates how African feminist policy ideas might influence reparations frameworks that are both inclusive and transformational. The paper assesses the feasibility of gender-sensitive reparations programmes using empirical evidence from post-conflict settings such as Liberia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda, highlighting key actions such as establishing survivor-centered reparations funds, incorporating psychosocial care into national health services, and ensuring women's participation in reparations design and monitoring. The paper argues that by focusing on survivors' perspectives and feminist ideals of justice, reparations can serve as both a healing tool and a catalyst for gender-equitable peacebuilding and development on the continent. Finally, the paper contends that reparations must go beyond symbolic gestures and offer survivors with material, psychological, and socioeconomic assistance that truly restores their dignity, agency, and opportunity