Field and river

20th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies (ICES20)
Mekelle University, Ethiopia

"Regional and Global Ethiopia - Interconnections and Identities"
1-5 October, 2018

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IMPACTS OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION: THE EXPERIENCES OF AZE DEBO AND HARRESAW [Abstract ID: 1205-03]

KIROS Birhanu, WIDE Ethiopia

Migration has became a common life experience for many people in Ethiopia, leading to multifaceted changes in their lives. While economic impact is the core and visible impact, migration also has a considerable impact on gendered roles and responsibilities. This paper will explore the impact of migration on pre-existing gender roles and responsibilities in four different rural areas of Ethiopia and how these changes are perceived by the communities and their contribution to overall community development. This paper will also explore how migration is affecting 1) the migrants, 2) their families, and 3) the communities in both positive and negative ways, which can be perceived subjectively. The focus will be on changes in gendered roles of migrants and the wider community in which they live, how these may change in terms of the migrants’ own activities, how they relate to their families and household statuses l, and changes in the roles of migrants and their households in the community. The paper will explore how roles and responsibilities in marriage, household income decision-making, child care, reproductive health, farming activities and off farm activities are affected as a result of migration. In terms of roles in community, it will explore the migrants’ roles in relation to leadership positions in political and social institutions and community development groups. The paper will also compare the pattern of the impact on gendered roles and responsibilities in contexts where migrants are dominantly male in contrast with situations where there are mainly female migrants.