Empowerment resources, decision-making and gender attitudes: which matter most to livestock keepers in the mixed and livestock-based systems in Ethiopia?

Table 10 Perceptions of power among communities practicing mixed and livestock-based farming in Ethiopia, qualitative assessments

Aspects of Power^a	How communities perceive the different dimensions of power^b
Power within	We aspire a lot, we want to work outside the home. We wish to participate in groups― a women-only FGD participant, Adiyo We feel proud and confident when we participate in men’s associations that bring you a lot of benefits―women-only FGD participant, Elweya A land ploughed by a woman can’t be productive—women-only FGD participant, Horro
Power over	We [the men spouses] usually order our wives to work in the kitchen to serve us while we discuss with visitors—a male participant, cooperative leadership committee FGD, Adiyo
Power to	If women got the right of controlling animals, they will start misbehaving—a male participant, cooperative leadership committee FGD, Adiyo Husband and wife jointly own animals but men must have the final say on household assets such as livestock―a male participant of cooperative leadership FGD, Horo
Power with	Women are invited to participate only in the absence of their spouses and if it is not far from home―women-only FGD participant, Elweya Women stay at home and thus are not able to take part in community gatherings—women-only FGD participant, Adiyo
Power through	Our animals are sources of our pride. In the times of sudden loss, we (people in close relations) contribute to each other in kind (live animals). We rise and fall with other important people in our lives―women-only FGD participant, Horo

^aDimensions of power as identified in the literature
^bDirect quotations from men and women participants in the separately conducted FGDs

ISSN: 2662-4044