African Trade Policy and Economics (Economics/Political Science/Law | 24 August 2001
Access to Justice in Urban Slums: A Comparative Analysis of Vulnerable Populations in Ethiopia,
M, e, k, u, r, i, a, B, e, l, a, y, ,, Y, a, r, e, d, A, b, e, b, e
Abstract
Urban slums in Ethiopia present a unique challenge for access to justice due to limited legal infrastructure and social services. A mixed-methods approach combining qualitative interviews with quantitative data analysis of legal aid records from two selected urban slum areas in Addis Ababa. Women were significantly less likely to use formal justice mechanisms (20% vs. 35%, p<0.01) compared to men, highlighting gender disparities in access to justice. The study underscores the need for targeted legal reforms and community-based legal education programmes to improve access to justice for vulnerable urban slum residents. Policy recommendations include increasing funding for women's legal aid services and developing culturally sensitive legal awareness campaigns.