A West Virginia University professor has authored a book that examines various influences on women in the developing African country of Eritrea.

Dr. Tesfa Gebremedhins new work, Women, Tradition and Development: A Case Study of Eritrea, explores traditional social values, cultural practices and the political and economic forces which influence women in this former colony of Ethiopia.

“The implications of the book can be derived for women in other countries of the developing world,”said Gebremedhin.”The book describes how to uncover hidden values and cultures in order to stimulate new, gender-equitable ways of thinking.”

Eritrea is located in northeastern Africa on the Red Sea. About half of Eritreas 3.5 million people are Orthodox Christians, and about half are Muslims. Approximately 80 percent of the workforce is involved in agriculture, with major industries in food processing, clothing and textiles.

Gebremedhin, a professor of agricultural and resource economics at the Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences, spent two years writing the book. His research took him to Eritrea to interact with Eritrean people and explore other cultural resources. His interest in understanding the complex issues related to gender led him to write the book.

The book can serve as a useful source of information and reference for policy makers, professionals, researchers and consultants who are interested in issues related to social development, Gebremedhin said.

Women, Tradition and Development: A Case Study of Eritrea is published by the Red Sea Press Inc. and is due out next month.