ADDIS ABABA—Efforts are being made to ensure meaningful participation of women in nation-state building and national dialogue processes, according to Minister of Women and Social Affairs Ergoge Tesfaye. The minister emphasized the importance of addressing fundamental national issues through an inclusive national dialogue.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, citizens have been calling for a national dialogue to resolve the country’s fundamental problems, and the process has reached a decisive stage. The Ministry of Women and Social Affairs has coordinated various forums with stakeholders to engage women in nation-building efforts and the national dialogue process. Ergoge noted that women are often the primary victims of national-level disagreements and differences of views.

The minister commended the National Dialogue Commission for its efforts in conducting an inclusive dialogue to foster cooperation and achieve national consensus. The Network for Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA) has provided capacity-building training on agenda gathering and compiling to thousands of women in eight regional states and two city administrations.

Chief Commissioner of the National Dialogue, Professor Mesfin Araya, highlighted the importance of engaging in constructive dialogue and emphasized that women’s agendas represent the agendas of all Ethiopians. NEWA Executive Director Saba Gebremedhin indicated that the organization is working to ensure proper representation of women in the national dialogue process.