DETERMINANTS OF WOMEN LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION IN TRANSPORT SERVICES IN ETHIOPIA: CASE STUDY IN GURAGHE ZONE

Abstract

This study aimed at analyzing determinants of women’s decision to participate in transport services in Ethiopia by taking Guraghe zone as a case study. The study used both primary and secondary sources of data. The primary data was collected from 309 women by using multi-stage sampling method. Questionnaire and interview were used as a method of data collections. Descriptive statistics and inferential methods of data analysis were employed. For Econometric Analysis, Probit Regression Model was used. The descriptive analysis results show that most of the respondents are not comfortable with women decision to participate in transport service sector. Moreover, analysis result from Probit Regression Model revealed that awareness creation training, lack of access to other careers, labor protection and welfare, marital Status of the respondent, salary and compensation and knowledge about labor market are determinants of women participation in transportation service that have registered expected signs and statistically significant results. However, awareness creation training and salary and compensation are the only variables that showed positive signs where as lack of access to other careers, labor protection and welfare, marital Status of the respondent and knowledge about labor market are variables that registered the expected negative signs. Even though most of the women are not comfortable about women participation in transport service sector, the participation is still in progress and this increment maybe attributable to improving economic incentives in employment and policies favoring the employment of women. In addition, there are unequal opportunities for employment for both mean women workers in Ethiopia. Therefore, policy statements in the government’s gender specific policies should give prior attention to provide women with more opportunities so as to participate IN transportation services as well as participation in education and training.