Governing for equality: the Ethiopian case

Abstract

Ethiopia is one of the 48 Sub-Saharan African countries located in the African continent. In the early 1990's the country underwent a political regime change that followed fundamental revolution in its governing approach. Soon after the current Federal Democratic Republic, a multiparty and constitutional ethnic federation was established, the National Policy on Women was framed that shaped the country's gender equality framework for the next 25 years. The National Policy on Women dictated institutionalization of the Women's Affairs office under the office of the Prime Minister, as well as establishment of women's affairs departments under each of the cabinet and regional offices. Today, 25 years after the declaration of National Policy on Women, Ethiopia witnessed the first female President, the first female head of highest court and the first female chairperson of the Election Board. In 2019, women constitute 38 percent of Ethiopia's parliamentary seats and 50 percent of the Prime Minister's cabinet. This chapter takes a closer look at Ethiopia's political, social, legal and economic landscape that put the rights of women at the center and the roles that women leaders play in governance. It also provides a reflection of the pivotal role women leaders have played that are slowly shifting deeply entrenched societal gender stereotypes and power imbalances.