Of the 17 global goals of the agenda for Sustainable Development by United Nations, goal 5 states “achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030”
Gender parity and addressing gender inequality is also one of the eight pillars on the Ethiopian national poverty reduction strategy.
Ethiopia is one of the few countries in achieving gender parity thanks to the bold initiative by Prime Minster Dr. Abiy Ahemed and his move for gender parity and women empowerment. He appointed female Minsters for key portfolios on half ministerial posts for the first time, and nominated Sahlework Zewdie, the first ever female president in Ethiopian history.
The decision by the Prime Minister sets a major milestone in Africa’s efforts towards gender equality and woman’s empowerment. Women’s access to high level political decision making positions, having equal representation of men and addressing gaps particularly in key areas like political participation, education, health and other sectors fairly is remarkable.
Dr. Abiy made his priority for women and explicitly committed to the achievement of gender equality and empowerment right from his inaugural speech while addressing the parliament. He said, “Our national identity is meaningless without the participation of Ethiopian women. By denying due recognition to women who built our country, served our country and helped it to stand on its feet, it is impossible to establish national renaissance. Our government shall endeavor with resolute dedication to spend up its efforts to improve woman’s all rounded participation and their benefit.”
Since then the ‘women can’t do’ narrative seem to be history as it created refreshment and new dimension for Ethiopian women in all walks of life.
The first move to make Ministers has played a role in perception and a paradigm shift on the usual trend paved a way for more women to get involved in decision making, says Frehiwot worku, Ethiopian Red Cross Society Former Director.
“The move by the prime minister has shown the country and the world at large that Ethiopia has capable women in all fields. The appointments have also shown us all; given the right environment and given the opportunity; we have women willing to take the challenge and can fit any leadership shoe out there available,” she noted.
“The appointment of women in high positions definitely gives a lot of young aspiring women and girls hope. This hope also treats motivation to work harder to meet the aspirations. A lot of girls and women are encouraged and motivated to aspire. In this respect, the prime minister has given the female gender in Ethiopia possibility to dream and aspire,” She added.
However, she further stated that appointment only does not provide the environment to achieve. Hopping that they will have a good and supporting environment to perform, she hopes and wishes that the appointed women leaders focus on delivering a true dedicated and outstanding performance so that we can all be proud and our young leaders will be inspired and challenged by their performance.
Frehiwot further pointed out that the move has also a role in decreasing gender based violence as the deep-rooted gender discrimination is often a result of patriarchal views and societal norms it is an important step to have women in leadership position.
“However, I don’t believe we will see the end of violence against women, unless we have all the stakeholders play their responsibilities in that effort effectively. Men and women have to work together on this issue ignore to bring change,” she explained.
Ministerial positions, as to her perspective are not the only measurement of women’s capabilities. She believes professional high level positions in the country could also be assumed by women professionals. The ministerial posts, however, will create that visibility and prove capability if the appointed women ministers can prove their potentials through excellent performance results. Provided all concerned play their part properly, we will be able to show an important show case about the abilities of women.
The trend for gender equality and changing narrative launching is evident while women activism has also increased on social media which is also taking shape and creating influence on gender equality through various mechanisms.
Hilina Berhanu Women’s right activist and co-founder of the Yellow Movements said that the prime Minister has taken a very important first step in bringing gender equality. However, she said, we still have a long way to go to bring about gender equality and political representation. And this can only be met with political will and gender consciousness both in the system and in the appointed individuals.
“Right from the very first speech to the 50-50 appointments and later the appointment of women in high posts, I read optimism all over. I am particularly grateful to the discussion that took place following these appointments whether on social media or off, many of which were sexist but a first regardless. Although I am pleased with high level appointments, I have observed that the representation of women in middle and low-level leadership still remains the same. Hence, most commentaries on political participation of women focus on elections and having women in parliament as opposed to discussions on their political stay and institutional resources that determine the effectiveness of their role,” Hillina pronounced.
“I am going to argue that having a large number of women in official political representations doesn’t necessarily translate into a feminist agenda or work for the benefit of women. Although using the parliament as a platform for change and space of diversity might result in positive outcomes, an exclusive expectation of the same space as a harbor of the significant change can be misleading. The parliament is a single institution within the whole system and to expect wonders of change from the inside out exclusively is a stretch of an imagination. Therefore, I argue that gender consciousness is more of a valuable quality and at times, having feminist men is better than having ethnic politics serving women,” she opined.
“One other thing that I am quite uncomfortable with Abiy’s gov’t is how the political will to bring women on board is not cemented in legal or institutional machinery which means we are at constant risk of reversibility of progress, that all this can be taken away from us. Therefore, I highly suggest that legal basis be made and that the political will also rests not just on Abiy but in his political counterparts,” Hilina noted.
It is clear that Ethiopia is ahead the movement to set the bar high in addressing gender equality. And also, creating a ground for competency based appointment and fare ground for women to demonstrate their abilities is an important ingredient to succeed achieving full gender equality by 2030.
The Ethiopian Herald April 16, 2019
BY FASICA BERHANE
