Source: The Ethiopian Herald
Women election participation in the country's political landscape is said to be significantly growing day by day.

According to the National Election Board of Ethiopia(NEBE), currently, of the 36.8 million registered voters, about 18 million or 48 per cent of them are women. Women election poll officials also reached 40 per cent, while, 1,270 or 23 per cent are women candidates from all parties that are contenders for seats.

Shitaye Menale, House of Peoples' Representatives (HPR) Deputy Spokesperson, opening a forum with the theme, "Stakeholders role in enhancing women political participation in the May election," yesterday, said that, women presentation and participation in the election and political sphere is improving from time to time, but not as desired yet.

"Though the Ethiopian Peoples' Democratic Revolutionary Front (EPRDF) is set to make women candidates take 40 per cent of the Parliament and 50 per cent of States cabinet seats in the 5th round general election, the registered women candidates number is only 23 per cent.

"I am shocked to hear that. I am afraid this will reverse our achievement. It is a reminder for political parties to give due attention to stakeholders to work more to field more women candidates to the front."

State Minister of Women, Children and Youth Affairs Frenesh Mekuria in her presentation said, the country laws and policy framework respect and protect women rights with the objective of proving equal opportunity and treatment. "Any development and democratization process that fails to embrace the participation of women is doomed to fail, she said. " In the current national Parliament women hold 152 or 27.8 per cent of the seats. That is quite an achievement compared to the 2.4 per cent in the first election. We are striving to reach 50:50 per cent in every aspect. Women have the right to equal participation, not only to elect but also as candidates. This entails freedom of expression, the right to association and be at the centre of every decision making."

She went on saying that political parties have a decisive role in opting space for women candidates. "Unless they make genuine commitment to bring more women in the arena women won't have a chance to participate,"adding, " Stakeholders such as the legislative and executive body, NEBE and the media are also key to monitoring and supervision that women rights are respected and protected.

Tesige Tilahun, NEBE Gender Directorate Director addressing the gathering said, "Women should be supported and empowered."Women can't be empowered by the government alone. It is all parties and stakeholders responsibility. Stakeholders role revolves around this. "We now have educated and capable women that can win the election. Not only the election but who can led the country's economy, politics and social affairs in every aspect."

Nega Dufesa, NEBE Office Ahead also said, now women are exercising their rights. Women are not insufficient as candidates yet. Sixteen political parties have brought forth women candidates. The ruling party takes the loin's share by 44.5 per cent. "NEBE financial support to parties increased to 15 per cent from that of 10 in the last election as per the women candidates they advanced. We distributed among parties around 30 million Birr."

The forum, held on the premises of Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) was jointly organized by the Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Affairs, the Ministry of Environment and Forest and Fana Broadcasting Corporation.

• Ethiopia