Abstract:
In Ethiopia, rural women do not have equitable land use right, due to domination of
traditional perception and attitude among the society. This study was designed to assess the
land use practices problem of women: a case study from Arbegona Woreda Sou thern
Ethiopia. In the Arbegona Woreda land use practices problem of women was highly biased
by domination of socio-cultural practices and attitude. In order to address the problems,
quantitative and qualitative data was collected, through sample selection. The sample was
selected firstly classifying the studied Woreda’s according to its agro-ecological zone
through using stratified sampling technique. Through the classification, 23 Kebeles located
highland, 12 Kebeles located midland and 3 Kebeles are located between highland and
midland agro-ecological zone then to the sample 6 Kebeles from highland, 1Kebele is
selected between midland and highland agro-ecological zone by using random sampling
technique. Finally sample household heads were selected through systematic sampling
technique. Study findings reveal that women’s right to land use practices was affected by
personal and economic, traditional practices and missing implementation of land policy. In
the study area there was low women participation in decision making in land. The gender
bias on land use practices was resulted women to adverse effect such as food insecurity and
low income, subordination on husband property, early marriage and migration to urban
area. Finally, this study forwards solutions to address gender gaps identified to ensure
women’s equal land use practices in the study area.
