This article is focused on the following UN Sustainable Development Goal:
UNICEF (2020) defines gender equality as “women and men, and girls and boys, enjoying the same rights, resources, opportunities, and protections.” But not all genders are regarded or treated the same. Ethiopia is ranked 121 out of 134 for gender equality.
“Gender equality is a human right, but our world faces a persistent gap in access to opportunities and decision-making power for women and men” (Global Issues).
Gender inequality is a major issue worldwide but especially in Ethiopia. Why?
Women in Ethiopia tend to be low ranked in their society and therefore lack the support they need to succeed outside their households. At younger ages, girls and boys see gender inequality within their community and household every day, from the textbooks they read in school to the mindset of the people around them.
Ethiopia has made considerable improvements to gender equality in the past decade. Starting with the election of their first female president, Sahle-Work Zewde elected in June 2018, a lot has changed.
Traditionally in African culture, women tend to stay at home and do household chores, however, Ethiopia has made major legislative changes to allow women to have the same opportunities as men. The election of a female Head of State not only sets the precedent for the future but also normalizes women as decision-makers in public life (Wamsley). More women in government and businesses ensure better outcomes for everyone - not just increasing their income, but also ensuring that they have more opportunities to provide for their families and advance their family’s future. Due to President Zewdes’s democratic changes, gender equality is becoming more of a reality in Ethiopia.
Although these changes are positive, as of 2016, 40% of women in Ethiopia are married by the age of 18 (Wamsley). Religion, tradition, and financial hardship tend to be major factors in early marriage. For example, before the age of 18, 58 % of girls living in the poorest households are married (Girls Not Brides).
There are still many challenges ahead for Ethiopia, but it is important to continue to put in place legislation and laws that help promote gender equality. Better educated women ensure that more courageous and creative minds are working to legitimize women’s rights and change society for the better. President Zewede instructs that as more women stand up for leadership roles and empower others, we can eliminate stereotypical gender roles.
Collectively, we all have a role in this transformation. We can promote gender equality and women’s rights by standing up against societal gender roles and taking the opportunity to always learn more. We can empower all genders to own up to the same rights and opportunities. How will you make a difference?
Remember, change starts with you.
Works Cited
Author Ministry of Women, and Ministry of Women. “Gender Equality and Women
Empowerment in Ethiopia.” UNICEF Global, 1 Apr. 2020,
www.unicef.org/ethiopia/reports/gender-equality-and-women-empowerment-ethiopia.
“Ethiopia.” Womankind Worldwide, 16 Sept. 2020, www.womankind.org.uk/where-we-
work/ethiopia/.
“Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment: Ethiopia.” U.S. Agency for International
Development, 21 Nov. 2018, www.usaid.gov/ethiopia/gender-equality-and-womens-
empowerment.
“Gender Equality.” UNICEF, www.unicef.org/gender-equality.
Girls Not Brides. “Ethiopia - Child Marriage Around The World. Girls Not Brides.” Girls Not
Brides, 21 June 2019, www.girlsnotbrides.org/child-marriage/ethiopia/.
Global Issues: Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment,
www.peacecorps.gov/educators/resources/global-issues-gender-equality-and-womens-
empowerment/.
“Leave No Women Behind.” Advancing Gender Equality: Promising Practices | Improved
Capabilities and Resources | Ethiopia, www.unwomen.org/mdgf/B/Ethiopia_B.html#:~:text=Women%20and%20girls%20in%20Ethi
opia,livelihoods%20and%20basic%20human%20rights.&text=Ethiopia%20appears%20to%20
be%20on,still%20larger%20in%20rural%20areas.
Wamsley, Laurel. “Ethiopia Gets Its 1st Female President.” NPR, NPR, 25 Oct. 2018,
www.npr.org/2018/10/25/660618139/ethiopia-gets-its-first-female-president.
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