Balancing the Scales in Ethiopia: Women’s Role in Politics and the Elections

In celebration of International Women’s Day – and month, NIMD Ethiopia, in collaboration with the European Union, hosted a dynamic half-day workshop on 6 March. Around 75 influential leaders, female politicians, and civic actors came together to discuss women’s role in Ethiopian politics and the election Process.

Despite progress still significant underrepresentation

Women in Ethiopia face significant underrepresentation in politics. Despite recent progress, such as increased representation in the national parliament – women remain underrepresented in decision-making roles at all levels of government. Additionally, women who participate in politics frequently encounter discrimination, lack of support, and limited opportunities for advancement.

Addressing these challenges is essential, not only for achieving gender equality but also for fostering a more inclusive and representative democracy that truly reflects the diverse voices of Ethiopian society.

The workshop

EU Ambassador, Sofie From-Emmesberger, opened the workshop session by reaffirming the EU’s commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Ethiopia.
Melatework Hailu, Chairperson of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), stressed that women’s participation in politics should be supported at the policy level. She also highlighted the critical role of women in the electoral process and the challenges they face in achieving greater representation.

The event concluded with an inspiring address by Lomi Bedo, Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives (HoPR), who shared that, although reaching the highest political levels is tough, women should seize the opportunities they get.

There was plenty of opportunity for discussion and reflection. The participants engaged in an insightful Q&A session, diving deeper into the challenges and opportunities for women in Ethiopian politics. The discussions highlighted how gender equality can drive transformative change, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable society.

Ensuring women have the right skills

The Country Director of NIMD Ethiopia, Yinebeb Nigatu, also underscored the importance of women’s active participation in shaping Ethiopia’s political landscape. “Recognizing this, NIMD Ethiopia has made the inclusion of women a central priority within its Democracy Academies”, he said. “In 2023, for example, we launched the Ethiopian Democracy Academy for Women (EDAW), which was very exciting. We are committed to supporting women in our country to participate in politics and elections.”

This project is funded by the European Union