Empowerment as a strategy in improving maternal and child health in Ethiopia. The case of the Ethiopian government initiative-A qualitative approach.

Abstract: Abstract: Aim: This study aimed at getting an understanding and critical analyses of the Ethiopian government empowerment strategy in improving maternal and child health in Ethiopia. Method: This is an ethnographic study, in which mainly un-structured interviews, focus group discussions and participant observation were conducted to collect data for the study. Results: The study concluded that the empowerment intiative has been promising to some extent in addressing the health concerns of women and children in Ethiopia. However, lack of bottom up health promotion strategies such as geniune community participation in the designing and implementation of the health program has greatly hindered the health promotion program from effectively improving the health status of women in the studied community.