In recent years, Ethiopia has made significant strides towards achieving gender equality. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that women and girls have equal rights and opportunities in all aspects of life. From education to healthcare services to economic empowerment, it is essential that policies and programs are in place to promote gender equality and empower women and girls in Ethiopia.
Despite progress in recent years, gender inequality remains a significant issue in Ethiopia. Women and girls continue to face discrimination and violence in various forms, including unequal access to education, healthcare services, and economic opportunities. This not only hinders the country’s overall development but also perpetuates cycles of poverty and marginalization.
Accordingly, one of the key areas that need to be addressed to ensure gender equality in Ethiopia is education. While there has been progress in increasing access to education for girls, there are still significant barriers that prevent many girls from attending schools. These barriers include poverty, early marriage, and cultural norms that prioritize boys’ education over girls’.
Experts agree that by investing in girls’ education and implementing policies that promote gender equality in schools, Ethiopia can empower girls to reach their full potential and contribute to the country’s development.
Another crucial aspect of ensuring gender equality in the country is improving women’s access to healthcare services. Women and girls in rural areas often lack access to quality healthcare, including maternal and reproductive health services. By investing in healthcare infrastructure and training more healthcare providers, it is possible to improve women’s health outcomes and ensure that they have access to the care they need. In addition, promoting gender equality in healthcare, means addressing cultural taboos and norms that prevent women from seeking care when they need it.
Moreover, empowering women economically is another essential step towards achieving gender equality. Women make up a significant portion of the agricultural workforce in Ethiopia, yet they often face barriers to accessing resources and markets. By providing women with access to credit, training, and land rights, Ethiopia can empower women to become more economically independent and contribute to the country’s economic growth. Additionally, addressing gender disparities in the workplace and promoting women’s participation in decision-making roles can help break down barriers to women’s economic empowerment.
Recently, experts told The Ethiopian Herald that the role of accessing quality education among girls and active community participation in gender issues is fundamental to ensure gender equality in Ethiopia.
The Union of Ethiopian Women and Children Associations (UEWCA) held a panel discussion on gender equality progress and challenges in Ethiopia.
During the panel discussion, Education and Gender Equality Advisor Yeshiareg Damite (PhD) said that effective guidelines and policies are important to enable everyone be accountable and responsible regarding improving gender equality in the country.
According to her, education plays a fundamental role in the journey of ensuring gender equality since educated women will have significant contributions in deciding their future while educated and becoming self-aware.
Thus, every girl should be educated and get the chance to change her life through education, she recommended.
The primary education enrollment is improving in Ethiopia, which is a promising move towards ensuring gender equality, she noted.
However, the education sector and active community mobilization should be given due priority to empower women and brighten their future.
“Currently, the rise in the cost of living, conflicts in different parts of the country, outdated community habits, among others are the challenges that women are facing in Ethiopia.”
She underscored the need to fight women and child abuses together and diversify awareness creation efforts through active community mobilization towards women empowerment.
On her part, a representative from Addis Ababa City Administration, Tsedalech Michael, said that compared to other parts of the country, the city is witnessing remarkable progress regarding women participation in various fields.
“Women’s decision-making in politics and economic participation is improving from time to time as there are numerous opportunities in the city that promote women,” she said.
She urged women to cultivate active participation in social, political, and economic affairs to create a better future for all women and girls.
Presenting a paper under the title “The status of gender equality in Ethiopia” Ministry of Education Women, Children, and Youth Education Team Leader and Gender Expert Eskinder Lakew said that Ethiopia is endeavoring to achieve gender equality through designing various policies and strategies.
However, there are still gaps in women’s economic empowerment and political participation, he said.
As to him, collaboration among government entities, partners, partnership, multi-sectorial collaborations, and active community mobilization, among others, are crucial for achieving gender equality.
“The prevalence of abuse against women and children is worsening in the country due to the ongoing conflicts in some areas. Thus, more attention should be given to this critical issue,” he stressed.
More importantly, ensuring gender equality requires a multifaceted approach, including advocating for equal rights, challenging gender stereotypes, promoting inclusive environments, and ensuring equal access to resources and opportunities.
In sum, ensuring gender equality in Ethiopia is essential for the country’s overall development and prosperity. By investing in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment for women and girls, Ethiopia can create a more inclusive and equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. It is crucial that policymakers, civil society organizations, and community members work together to address the root causes of gender inequality and create a more just and equal society for all Ethiopians. Together, it is possible to build a future where every woman and girl in Ethiopia has the opportunity to reach their full potential and contribute to the country’s growth and development.
BY TEWODROS KASSA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 8 APRIL 2025
