Yes! We are happy to hear that Ethiopian parliamentarians unanimously appointed Sahle-Work Zewde, 68, as president on Thursday 25 October after the surprise resignation of Mulatu Teshome, who had held the post since 2013. This may have been a case of lucky timing or it’s just time for a female touch. Sahle-Work is a seasoned diplomat who has held positions in the United Nations and worked in peacekeeping operations in Africa. Currently she is Africa’s only serving female head of state.
In a patriarchal society such as ours, the appointment of a female head of state not only sets the standard for the future but also normalizes women as decision-makers in public life – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed
During her inauguration she already implied that she is willing and eager to take on this duty and change lots when it comes to women’s rights in Ethiopia. At some point in her speech she even joked: “if you think I am talking a lot more about women, well, I have not even started.” We are looking forward to see Sahle-Work Zewde make Ethiopia great again!
