Abstract :
This study was conducted to explore the causes and effects of marginalization and social inequality that characterizes ‘Wood Workers’ minority group in Gurage Zone, south-central Ethiopia. It carefully examines the overall living situations of ‘Wood Workers’ in terms of economic, social and political aspects within the socio-cultural context of the host society. Traditionally, this group lost the rights and privileges in the society at large and they are not equally treated similar to other groups. In this study, a qualitative methodological approach is employed in extracting information from different sources on the subject in question. The study relied mainly on primary and secondary sources. Based on the findings, as far as the causes of marginalization is concerned, the norms, beliefs and the way of life that defines the ‘Wood Workers’ and the roles they undertake in the society have been seen as extremely important factors. Moreover, the causes, levels and effects of marginalization and social inequality of these minority groups are multifaceted and alarming. Regarding the effects of marginalization, the ‘Wood Workers’ have been facing challenges such as limited access to social services like education and health services, low self-esteem, severe poverty, lack of genuine interaction with the rest of the peoples of the study area and low level of motivation to enhance their level of wellbeing.
Keyword :
Marginalization, Wood Workers, Causes, Effects, Minority- Majority