Albert Science International Organization

ARTICLE DESCRIPTION: 

Genanew Jemberu Engda, Emile Sunjo, CEDAW Domestication in Ethiopia: Extent, Barriers, and Regional Disparities Across States and Geopolitical Zones, ASIO Journal of Humanities, Management & Social Sciences Invention (ASIO-JHMSSI), 2026, 10(1): 12-19.

Genanew Jemberu Engda^1*, Emile Sunjo²

^1*PhD Student, at Pan African University Institute of Governance, Humanities, and Social Sciences (PAUGHSS), Governance and Regional Integration, University of Yaoundé II, Cameroon.

^2,3 Professor in International Relations and Conflict Studies, University of Buea, Cameroon, Email: emile.sunjo@ubuea.cm; PO Box 63, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Corresponding Author:

*Genanew Jemberu Engida

^*PhD student at Pan African University Institute of Governance, Humanities, and Social Sciences (PAUGHSS), Governance and Regional Integration, University of Yaoundé II, Cameroon.

^*Mail Id: genanewg1g2g3@gmail.com

Doi : 10.2016-14781119; https://doi-ds.org/doilink/04.2026-29495818/ASIO-JHMSSI/10.2016-14781119/V10/I1/755/GJE

ABSTRACT:

This study examines the extent to which Ethiopia has domesticated the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), focusing on legal incorporation, implementation challenges, and inter?regional disparities across states and geopolitical zones. Using a qualitative document analysis, the research systematically reviews constitutional provisions, statutory instruments, policy frameworks, and treaty body reports alongside scholarly sources. Findings indicate notable progress in formal legal incorporation particularly within the FDRE Constitution (1995), the Revised Family Code (2000), and the Criminal Code (2004)but reveal persistent barriers to full and uniform implementation, including gaps in domestication frameworks, institutional capacity deficits, political under?representation of women in senior posts, and socio?cultural constraints rooted in patriarchal norms. The paper argues that without coordinated, measurable, and accountable implementation frameworks that cascade from federal to local levels, formal legal alignment with CEDAW is unlikely to translate into substantive equality. It concludes with policy recommendations to strengthen implementation architecture, mainstream gender in higher education curricula, expand targeted capacity?building, and address socio?cultural impediments through evidence?based public engagement.

Keywords: CEDAW, domestication, gender equality, women’s rights.

[1] Almaz, E. (1991) Perspectives on gender and development. In: T. Berhaneselassie, ed., Issues of gender in Ethiopia. Addis Ababa: Institute of Ethiopian Studies, Addis Ababa University.

[2]Asfaw, M. (2014) Assessment of gender equality in Ethiopia: The position of Ethiopian women’s political representation from the world, Sub?Saharan Africa, and Eastern Africa [Master’s thesis, Ethiopian Civil Service University].

[3] Asnake, K. (2013) ‘Religion, customary norms, and women’s rights: The challenge of implementing CEDAW in Ethiopia’, Journal of African Law, 57(1), pp. 75–91.

[4] Bade, M., et al. (2022) ‘To assess the socio?cultural factors that influence women’s participation in the public spheres in Jigjiga town: The case of Garabase Sub?city’, Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, 9(1).

[5] Chekol, D.Z. and Hadaro, H.F. (2024) ‘Women’s representation in higher leadership positions in Ethiopia in the last three decades since 1991 [Version 2; peer review: 2 approved]’, F1000Research, 13, 729. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.150421.2

[6] Dairia, S. (1984)CEDAW: Achievements and challenges. Report. [Unpublished].

[7] Englehart, N.A. and Miller, M.K. (2014) ‘The CEDAW effect: international law's impact on women's rights’, Journal of Human Rights, 13(1), pp. 22–47.Ethiopian Statistical Service (ESS). (2024). Ethiopia's population estimation.

[8] Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (1995) Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Federal Negarit Gazeta.

[9] Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (2004) The Criminal Code of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Proclamation No. 414/2004. Federal Negarit Gazeta.

[10] Fiseha, A. (2006) Federalism and the accommodation of diversity in Ethiopia: A comparative study. Wolf Legal Publishers.

[11] Gebrehiwot, A. (2015) ‘CEDAW and domestic law in Ethiopia: Between ratification and realization’, Ethiopian Journal of Law, 28(1), pp. 112–134.

[12] Global Policy Unit (2019) Country profile: Ethiopia. International Organization for Migration (IOM). Available at: https://publications.iom.int/system/files/pdf/mgi_ethiopia_2019.pdf (Accessed: 26 February 2026).

[13] Haregewoin, C. and Emebet, M. (2003) Towards gender equality in Ethiopia: A profile of gender relations. Stockholm: Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

[14] House of People’s Representatives (2000) Revised Family Code, Proclamation No. 213/2000. Federal Negarit Gazeta, Addis Ababa.

[15] Kidist (2002) Enforcement of CEDAW in Ethiopia, in light of state obligations [Master’s thesis, University of Lund, Faculty of Law].

[16] Tadesse, M. (2004) ‘Cultural practices and women’s rights in Ethiopia: The clash with international human rights norms’. In: Y. Adamu (ed.), Law and culture in Ethiopia, pp. 88–104. Addis Ababa: Addis Ababa University Press.

[17]The Criminal Code of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (2004) Criminal Code Proclamation No. 414/2004. Federal Negarit Gazeta, Addis Ababa.

[18] The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (2019) Fifth national report on progress made in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Beijing +25). Addis Ababa: Government of Ethiopia.

[19] Thubauville, S. (2012) ‘Cultural diversity in Ethiopia: Between appreciation and suppression’, Paideuma, 58, pp. 153–166.

[20] Tosone, L. (2024) ‘Planning growth and population: The debate on population and development at the UN and the origins of UNFPA’, Yearbook for the History of Global Development, 95.

[21] UN Women (2017) Ethiopia country gender profile. Available at: https://africa.unwomen.org (Accessed: 26 February 2026).

[22] United Nations Human Rights Treaty Bodies (1985) Ratification status of the country for CEDAW – Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

[23] United Nations (1979) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Available at: https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw (Accessed: 26 February 2026).

[24] Zewde, B. (2001) A history of modern Ethiopia, 1855–1991 (2nd ed.). James Currey.