ADDIS ABABA– Maximizing women’s participation in the National Dialogue would ensure their role in resolving Ethiopia’s age-old and contentious problems amicably, women representatives said.
Accordingly, Benshangul Gumz State Council’s Deputy Spokesperson AlemneshYibas told the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that the National Dialogue is a process of rescuing Ethiopia and leaving the age-long difference and challenges that held the nation for too long behind. “Thus, the National Dialogue allows women to take part and contribute their immense share in resolving Ethiopia’s pressing problems in peaceful manner.”
According to her, women’s National Dialogue participation would also enable them to speak their mind with the sense of belongingness about core national issues.
Women are mostly vulnerable during unrest and they have been subjected to various types of challenges including gender-based violence (GBVs.) Alemnesh further stressed that through engaging women at the National Dialogue; the country could end their sufferings and capitalize on their naturally gifted behavior of peaceful resolution.
Afar State’s Women, Social Affairs Bureau Women Participation, and Movement Director FatumaHamfere said that the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) has put commendable efforts to embrace women at the National Dialogue since its establishment.
Not only the commission has played a major role in changing the societal perception towards women’s role in peace process but also it stimulates their sense of perception. As part of the community that is deeply harmed by conflicts, women need to get space to take part at the dialogue using their naturally gifted character of persuading people, she added.
For ENDC’s Commissioner Belen Gebremedhin, women need to be engage on national issues with the sense of ownership. “They need to add their ideas which they believe would resolve the problem.”
Through active participation, women have to engage in setting their agenda, ideas and perception for better realization of the National Dialogue.
Amongst the nine community members, at least women need to be represented by 30% and they are also being represented in other segments, the commissioner emphasized.
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
The Ethiopian herald May 4/2024
