Ethiopia’s President Advocates for Enhanced Women’s Leadership Training

ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopian President Sahlework Zewde has underlined the critical role of advanced training programs in bolstering women’s representation in leadership roles. Her remarks came during the closing event of the Presidential Leadership Program for Women Leaders in Ethiopia, an initiative backed by UN Women Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, and the President’s Office. This program aims to foster a supportive network for women leaders and promote their professional growth and leadership skills.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the leadership training is a key step toward fulfilling the nation’s goal of nurturing capable women leaders and integrating them into top-tier positions. The program has already benefitted approximately 180 mid-level female leaders from diverse sectors, including government, civil society, and the private sector, across its initial six rounds.

The President highlighted the training’s focus on offering practical support to women, creating avenues for their advancement, and enhancing their impact within the nation’s leadership landscape. The Ethiopian government, as stated by Minister of Women and Social Affairs Ergogie Tesfaye, is actively developing legal and strategic frameworks to guarantee women’s inclusive participation and advantages.

Ergogie elaborated on the collaborative efforts to align these initiatives with Ethiopia’s ten-year development plan, emphasizing the ministry’s dedication to ongoing educational initiatives aimed at elevating women’s roles in decision-making and leadership. She noted that the recent training sessions are integral to this year’s strategic objectives.

Additionally, Kimiya Jundi, Chair of the Women Caucus at the Ethiopian House of Peoples Representatives, discussed the importance of comprehensive education for women to address contemporary challenges at various levels. She advocated for the continuation of such training programs to cultivate effective female leadership, essential for Ethiopia’s growth and prosperity.

The financial backing for this training came from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and UN Women Ethiopia, signifying international support for Ethiopia’s commitment to empowering women in leadership.