ADDIS ABABA – White House Advisor to the U.S. President Ivanka Trump praised Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s (PhD) proactive approach to increasing the number of women in leadership positions in his government.
Trump’s remark come here yesterday while holding talks with Premier Abiy on ways Ethiopia and the United States can partner to advance their shared goal of improving women’s economic empowerment in Ethiopia and worldwide.
She also reaffirmed strong U.S. support for Ethiopia’s progress on reforms toward inclusive democracy, broad-based prosperity, and lasting stability.
The Advisor indicated that the Trump Administration is launching the first-ever whole-of-government approach to advance global women’s economic empowerment, Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP). W-GDP seeks to reach 50 million women in the developing world by 2025 through U.S. government activities, private-public partnerships, and a new, innovative fund at USAID.
It was stated W-GDP has three pillars such as prospering women in the workforce, supporting women’s entrepreneurship skills and enabling women in the economy.
By same token, Trump met President Sahle-Work Zewde, to reinforce the ongoing U.S. commitment to its strong partnership with Ethiopia.
During the discussion, she lauded the President’s achievement in becoming the first female president of Ethiopia and the only sitting female head of state in Africa.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, the parties also discussed opportunities for legal and regulatory reform, specifically access to credit, and the need to prioritize implementation and enforcement in rural areas.
Trump and President Sahlework affirmed their shared belief that women’s economic empowerment is not only an economic issue, but also a security priority, it was learnt.
The Advisor also met with business women in the coffee industry in Addis Ababa to discuss the opportunities and challenges women entrepreneurs face in Ethiopia. At the conclusion of the meeting, she announced a new 260,000 USD loan provided by Enat Bank to help AzalechTesfaye, owner of Azalech Coffee Roasting, Grinding and Packaging to expand her business.
Also, Trump visited the production facility of Muya Ethiopia, a leading textile and handicrafts company that got its start through the assistance of USAID Ethiopia. The Advisor also paid respects to the victims of the Ethiopian Airlines 302 tragedy at the Holy Trinity Church. She laid a wreath, and observed a moment of silence.
Ivanka Trump arrived in Addis Ababa on Sunday, for a two-day visit that focused on African women’s economic inclusion and empowerment.
The Ethiopian Herald April 16, 2019
BY BILAL DERSO
