Half of ministerial positions in Ethiopia have been occupied by women. The list of new ministers was approved by lawmakers ob Tuesday.
This is the first time the Cabinet for the country is occupied by a record 50% female. The appointments were made by the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
He said while defending his appointments that “Our women ministers will disprove the old adage that women can’t lead. This decision is the first in the history of Ethiopia and probably in Africa.”
The most prominent appointment was that of defence ministry which is now headed by a woman. Aisha Mohammed Musa will be in charge of the defence ministry hoping to provide better security for the country.
Another woman, Muferiat Kamil will be leading the newly established Ministry of Peace hoping to restore peace to a country gripped with ethnic violence.
The prime minister however cut down on the number of ministerial portfolio from 28 to 20 in this latest appointments.
50% Femmes!!!. Maintien de la parité de genre au sein du remaniement du gouvernement du Premier Ministre de l’ #Ethiopie. Un nouveau elan pour délivrer les reformes .. pic.twitter.com/0mzuIyMkJp
— Mahlet Hailu (@HailuMahlet) October 16, 2018
African countries continue to make efforts in bridging the gender gap in political appointments.
Rwanda is international recognized for female representation in government. Women in Rwanda make up 43% of its Cabinet and 61% of parliament members.
Source: Africafeeds.com
