Ethiopian Journal of the Social Sciences and Humanities

Victims of Road Traffic Accidents in Ethiopia

Betelihem Getachew — 2024-11-21

The rising incidence of physical injuries from road traffic accidents in developing countries significantly impacts individuals' psychological well-being and social connections. Most existing studies, which are predominantly quantitative, focus on accident causes and prevention methods; they often overlook the lived experiences of victims. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to delve into the often overlooked experiences and coping strategies of individuals with physical injuries resulting from road accidents, using in-depth interviews with ten participants. Thematic analysis revealed that while support was available from various sources, it was often incomplete and delayed. Additionally, uninformed medical decisions were common, with individuals receiving little explanation about their condition or future treatment. Hospitalization was generally viewed negatively, and coping strategies included support from loved ones and resilience drawn from personal experiences developed during the recovery process. Recognizing these sources of support is crucial for facilitating adaptation and improving overall quality of life. The study highlights the vital role of the social work profession in offering emotional and psychosocial support and improving communication between patients and the medical team to address mental health challenges.

Political and Economic Exclusion-Induced Conflict and Displacement

Samuel Lulie Demsash — 2025-02-28

This study examined factors that drive exclusion-induced conflict and displacement in the Metekel zone. Data was collected from a sample of 435 respondents, i.e., 359 households’ surveys, 60 focus group discussants, and 16 key informant interviews. Evidence suggested that exclusion has been deep, and the scale of conflict, violence, and displacement was pervasive. Ethnicity was the main factor in excluding households from exercising rights to access resources. Light skin color (“qey” in Amharic) also served as a marker of otherness (non-indigenous). During times of conflict, the so-called qey were indiscriminately attacked. A case in point was what happened to the Shinasha, whose light skin color had a more devastating effect than their ethnicity. Legal frameworks, administrative and executive institutions were fused with ethnicity as facilitators of exclusion and inclusion. BGNRS’s constitution defined some ethnic groups as “indigenous” and the remaining as “others” or “non-indigenous”. During exclusion-induced conflict incidents of 2018 to 2021, households from Amhara, Agew, Oromo, and Shinasha were targeted based on their ethnicity and skin color, resulting in discrimination, restricted access to services and rights of mobility. The study concluded that political exclusion engendered by ethnic federalism has induced conflicts with devastating effects on economic, social, and political dimensions causing large-scale displacements, violent attacks, loss of lives and community divisions. In reconciliation engagements, displaced households were not made part of the peace-making process. The study recommends revisiting controversial articles of BGNRS’s Constitution that define some ethnic groups as indigenous (owner nationalities) giving them exclusive rights over others.

Pastoralist Women’s Roles, Livelihood Risks and Resilience among Borana Oromo, Southern Ethiopia

Wario Wako — 2025-03-02

Pastoralist women’s active role in the household economy and livelihood diversification cannot be overestimated despite their marginal position in terms of access to basic health and education services, and decision making. This study is, therefore, aimed at exploring women’s livelihood risks, roles, and resilience among the Borana Oromo pastoralist community in the Yabello district of the Oromia National Regional State. The study employed a qualitative-ethnographic research method. Participants were selected purposively and data was collected using in-depth and key informant interviews, observation, and focus group discussions (FGDs). The study participants include pastoralist women, men, community elders, experts from Woreda sector offices and NGOs implementing projects in the study area. The field data was analyzed thematically and data quality has been maintained through triangulation, peer debriefing and presentation of the preliminary finding at a stakeholders’ workshop. The findings of the study showed that pastoralist women play a key role in the socioeconomic, political and cultural lives of Borana Oromo parallel with experiencing challenges related to poverty and job burden. The coping strategies include engagement in self-help social support systems, sharing tasks during difficult times, the moral incentive, courage and motivation they earn from the communities. Borana women also have opportunities for getting primacy, such as their engagement in petty trade, women empowerment activities of local organizations, and promising prospects of supportive policy in education and healthcare services. The study recommends research on strengthening indigenous community practices in support of women.

Preventing inter-ethnic conflict

Awet Halefom Kahsay — 2025-03-11

A review of major literature on conflict prevention reveals a lack of consensus on the subject matter. One strand of the debate revolves around whether conflict prevention should be limited solely to the early and non-escalatory stages of conflict, or it should also encompass the escalation and post-conflict stages. Other scholars question the feasibility of assessing whether preventive actions have made a difference. Additionally, examining the role of traditional institutions in conflict prevention introduces a third layer of complexity to the discussion as they are typically approached within the context of conflict resolution. This paper investigates the role of traditional institutions in preventing inter-ethnic conflicts, focusing on the case of Gereb in northeast Ethiopia. The study draws upon documentary materials spanning from 2006 to 2020 and interviews with 40 key informants representing all major stakeholders and FGD with members of the community in the locality. It discovered that local communities have their own concepts of peace, conflict, and conflict prevention. The paper argues that not only is it possible to measure conflict prevention interventions, but traditional institutions are capable of preventing inter-ethnic conflict and the Gerebs have successfully prevented inter-ethnic death and reduced conflicts from communal to individual levels. This suggests that the sustainability of peace hinges upon the local community's ownership of the peace process itself, highlighting the efficacy of a bottom-up approach in addressing conflicts across Africa.