Norms, Equity and Social Protection: A Gender Analysis of the Productive Safety Net Programme in Ethiopia

Abstract

Social protection programmes do not generally account for gendered power dynamics. Oftentimes, they target women only as beneficiaries, which can intensify gendered disparities. This case study uses a mixed methods research approach to conduct a gender analysis of the Productive Safety Net Programme in Ethiopia. We find the programme has progressive gender equity goals, but these are not well implemented. Since special provisions for women are neglected in the case study sites, they do not challenge unequal social norms nor recognize unequal roles and responsibilities. Alongside implementing the gendered provisions, we recommend further research into the ways that the programme can challenge discriminatory social norms.

Keywords:

• gender
• equity
• norms
• social protection
• Ethiopia

Acknowledgements

Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library.

Disclosure statement

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

Notes

1 The impact of joint registration (certification), however, is minimal as land ultimately belongs to the state in Ethiopia.

2 Regional Capital of Benishangul Gumuz and Gambella Regions (Gambella City and Asosa) have only recently been made part of the urban portions of the PSNP.

3 This data is from the Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Bureau of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2016.

4 This was also based on the first author’s previous experience in the communities and contextual knowledge and that helped to ensure community entrée.

5 All Woreda and kebele level Food Security Task Force Committee members were involved in the FGDs held in their respective communities.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Melisew Dejene Lemma

Melisew Dejene Lemma (PhD) is an Assistant Professor of Policy & Development Studies, and Journalism & Communication at the Institute of Policy & Development Research (IPDR), and Department of Journalism & Communication, Hawassa University (HU). Currently, he is a PhD Program Coordinator at IPDR, HU, Ethiopia.

Tesfaye Semela Kukem

Tesfaye Semela Kukem (PhD) is a Professor of Sociology of Education at Hawassa University, Ethiopia. Currently, he is Director of Institute of Policy & Development Research (IPDR), HU, Ethiopia.

Siera Vercillo

Siera Vercillo (PhD) is a Post-doctoral fellow at the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada.

Logan Cochrane

Logan Cochrane (PhD) is an Associate Professor at the College of Public Policy, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Policy & Development Research, (IPDR), HU, Ethiopia.