Empowerment or Disempowerment through Formalization? The Case of Women Entrepreneurs in Food Processing in Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess the possible contribution of formalizing small-scale women entrepreneurs’ food processing enterprises in northern Ethiopia to their empowerment or disempowerment. The rationale for evaluating this contribution to (dis)empowerment is to provide updated and policy-relevant knowledge on the issue, including assessing if the critiques of the formalization agenda are still valid or whether the situation may have changed. The main finding suggests that formalization offers limited opportunities for empowering small-scale, resource-poor women entrepreneurs in northern Ethiopia. The contribution of formalization to women's (dis)empowerment varies among the various categories of participants in different ways and forms. Some better-off women entrepreneurs benefitted from formalization in some dimensions; however, this is not the case for most of the women entrepreneurs included in the study. Instead, for the poorer women entrepreneurs, formalization rather led to disempowerment. In conclusion, if formalization in Ethiopia harms or disempowers poor women entrepreneurs rather than benefits them, this paper suggests a need for a major change in policies and practices related to the formalization and women empowerment agenda.

Keywords:

• women entrepreneurs
• formalization
• (dis)empowerment
• northern Ethiopia

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for supporting institutional collaboration between Mekelle University in Ethiopia and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. In addition, we would also like to thank all the participants in the study for their willingness to share their stories, experiences, and views with us.

Author contribution

Conceptualization, GAD, RH; methodology, GAD, RH; fieldwork: GAD; formal analysis, GAD, RH; writing – original draft preparation, GAD, RH; writing – review and editing, GAD, RH; project administration, GAD. Both authors have reviewed and agreed to the final version of the paper for publication.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data supporting the findings of this study can be accessed by reaching out to the corresponding author. The data are not yet publicly available due to the protection of privacy linked to personal data.

Ethical statement

This research achieved ethical approval from the Mekelle University Research Ethics Review Committee on 17th June 2019 to collect primary data. All the participants were informed about the purpose of the study, and the interviews were conducted after receiving informed consent in accordance with approved research protocols. Participants had the freedom to opt-out at any point whenever they wanted and were ensured full anonymity.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Norwegian Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: MU-HU-NMBU Institutional Collaboration, Phase IV.

Notes on contributors

Girmanesh Abreha Desta

Girmanesh Desta is a PhD student in the Department of International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). With a research focus on gender and food systems, Desta employs a unique approach that combines qualitative methods and feminist perspective to address issues of diversity and equality within these systems. This work aims to contribute to sustainable development and policy changes, advocating for equality, equity and inclusiveness. Through this research, Desta seeks to make a meaningful impact on how gender dynamics and diversities are understood and addressed in the context of global and regional food systems.

Ruth Haug

Ruth Haug is a professor of International Development Studies at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) with PhD from the University of Maryland. Her career spans notable contribution to food security and rural development on a global scale. At NMBU she served as Deputy Vice Chancellor (2008-2013) and led the Department of International Environment and Development Studies for seven years. Her expertise encompasses food systems, climate change, agricultural extension, and gender issues in development. Haug has extensive research and consultancy experience in Africa and Asia, collaborating with NORAD, the World Bank and the Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture. A committed educator, she has supervised numerous graduate students and boasts a robust publication record. She has held positions on several international boards, including the CGIAR Fund Council and the IFPRI Board of Trustees, contributing greatly to international policy on food and agriculture.