Women’s Experiences of the 1983-85 Ethiopian Great Famine: A Qualitative Study in Kobo Town, North Wollo Zone, Ethiopia

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Abstract Background In developing countries as women are mostly involved in handling food and feeding, their narrative is expected to generate optimal portrayal of the lived experiences surrounding the times of food shortage. Although there were repeated bouts of food insecurity in Ethiopia, the experiences of households in managing such shocks has never been documented. This qualitative study is aimed exploring and understanding of the lived experiences of women. Method: Phenomenology was employed as an approach to document the lived experiences of women about the great Ethiopian famine in Kobo district of North Wollo Zone. In-depth interview lasting for an average of 40 minutes were carried out among 10 key informants (women who survived the great famine). The interview was carried out using semi-structured interview guides with sufficient probes and open ended follow up questions to exhaustively capture the narratives. Texts with similar code were pooled together and presented in narratives using verbatims as illustrations. Texts with similar codes were pooled together and organized into narratives. Results An overall theme emerged that the Great Famine was ‘catastrophic and caused severe loss of human life.’ The study identified the following six essential points experienced by the women. All participants agreed that the famine was an unforgettable event in their memories. It lasted for two years and was caused by drought and local civil war affecting all socio-economic groups and all areas around Kobo Town. Pregnant women, lactating mothers and children were specifically affected, the coping strategies used included the sale of non-productive assets (utensils, jewelry, furniture), the mortgaging of farmland or houses, and out-migration. Men were more likely to migrate while women and children were more likely to remain in the household—meaning that the burden of the crisis was mainly shouldered by the women. Conclusion The study provided a context- specific understanding of the Ethiopian Great Famine which is one of the most catastrophic events of the 20th century in Ethiopia. The interviews described here call for further research to determine the long-term health and socio-economic impact of the famine.

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