ADDIS ABABA — The Coalition of Ethiopian Women’s Association has emphasized the inclusive and participatory nature of the ongoing national dialogue agenda-setting process. Saba Gebremedhim, Director and Convener of Women’s Voice in the National Dialogue, praised the efforts during an interview with the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA).
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the initiative has successfully integrated over 50 organizations since its inception, facilitating a broad spectrum of voices in the discussions. She reported that the coalition has conducted various forums across districts in Addis Ababa, focusing on critical agenda topics for the national consultative process. Gebremedhim asserted that the engagement of diverse societal segments, particularly women, has been pivotal in ensuring the inclusivity of the dialogue.
The agenda-setting process, which officially commenced last Wednesday in Addis Ababa, involves multiple phases including pre-preparation, preparation, the consultative process itself, implementation, and monitoring. Over the past three days, representatives from various community groups have engaged in discussions, determining key issues for the upcoming city-level consultations and submitting them to the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission.
Gebremedhim highlighted the importance of this foundational phase, noting that the discussions are crucial for building a consensus through democratic and peaceful means, and addressing the country’s fundamental challenges. She called on all societal segments to contribute actively and responsibly to the process, underscoring the role of women as critical to achieving lasting peace.
The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission, established by Proclamation No. 1265/2014, aims to facilitate inclusive dialogues on national issues to foster greater national consensus. The commission has recently moved into implementing the third phase of this comprehensive consultative process and has selected 121 representatives to present their agendas during the national dialogue sessions.