The International Women’s Day was celebrated in the presence of President Sahle-Work Zewde today.
The annually marked Women’s Day was held at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in the capital city under the theme: “Let’s Empower Women and Ensure Development and Peace”.
President Sahle-Work Zewde attended the ceremony joined by Women and Social Affairs Minister Ergogie Tesfaye, Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abebie, other federal and regional government officials, and invited dignitaries and women.
In her address, the president emphasized the women should jointly work for sustained peace in the country as they are the first and main victims of lack of peace.
Urging all stakeholders to contribute to lasting peace in Ethiopia, President Sahle-Work stressed the importance of women in leadership in order to strengthen democracy, good governance, and the rule of law.
Acknowledging Ethiopia’s efforts in promoting women’s leadership and economic opportunities, she called for further progress.
Moreover, the president
underscored the need to empower women, particularly in rural areas, by providing them with educational opportunities as the basis of empowerment.
Appreciating the women’s reform and center of excellence built by the Addis Ababa City Administration, President Sahle-Work stressed the need to build such an institution in other parts of the country.
She further added the importance of strengthening the African Women Leaders Network.
Women and Social Affairs Minister Ergogie Tesfaye reaffirmed on her part the government’s determination to strengthen women’s overall participation, benefit, and well-being.
Highlighting the International Women’s Day as a day to celebrate the achievements of women who fought for equality and basic rights, the minister emphasized the crucial role women that constitute more than half of the country’s population (52 percent) play in Ethiopia’s development.
She further elaborated on the efforts to increase women’s participation in government positions and leadership roles.
Ergogie f
inally reiterated the government’s commitment to creating a system that empowers women not just in positions of authority, but also in economic, social, and political spheres.
Mayor Adanech Abebie said the city administration has been working to ensure women’s benefits as its key task.
Accordingly, the city administration has built a women’s reform and center of excellence to alleviate the economic and social pressure of women, she pointed out.
The center will provide training every year for about 10,000 women engaged as prostitutes to prepare for employment.
The mayor revealed that the women’s reform and center of excellence will be inaugurated next week.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency