Guest blog by Lynne Featherstone MP
Ethiopia: women matter
My name is Lynne Featherstone MP. I am the Minister for Equality and Criminal Information, and I am a senior member of the British Government responsible for promoting gender empowerment and equality. I am also the British Government’s champion for protecting women from violence, both in the UK and globally. I have just finished a visit to Ethiopia (22 – 24 April). It was my first time in the Country. Ambassador Greg Dorey kindly lent me his blog to explain a bit more about my visit.
First, I was in Ethiopia to learn. I wanted to understand more about how Ethiopia is attempting to empower women and children and protect them from violence. I met a wide range of relevant people. I met women MPs, and held discussions with the Ethiopian Minister for Women, Children and Youth. I visited the African Union to hear how the institution is seeking to promote gender across Africa. And, I attended an exciting dinner with female Ethiopia civil society leaders.
I visited a safe house for victims of gender based violence, talked to adolescent girls about their hopes for the future, ran 100 metres with 100 women to celebrate 100 days until the start of London 2012, and had the opportunity to meet His Excellency the Prime Minister.
This programme of meetings allowed me to listen to the challenges women and children face, and gain a good insight into what the government is doing on gender and youth in Ethiopia.
Secondly, I went because women matter. Ethiopia is in the process of dramatic and impressive transformations. What is happening now will set the framework for Ethiopia’s long-term stability, prosperity and democracy. Evidence is strong that where women are at the centre of development, where women’s voice is heard loud and clearly, and when women are protected from violence, the economy grows, service delivery improves and stability can be enshrined. The track record of women’s positive involvement in post-conflict reconstruction can be seen across the world.
The Ethiopian government has done a lot on gender: For example, there are more women in parliament in Ethiopia than in the UK. The massive extension of government services in recent years has dramatically increased women’s access to education and health, improving employment opportunities and offering women better protection from preventable illnesses.
Yet, as in many countries, women in Ethiopia face real challenges. Too many women are victims of violence, and negative attitudes on violence against women and girls persist. Systems to prevent and redress violence against women remain limited. Women’s voice in the economy and politics needs to be further strengthened to support Ethiopia’s long-term development.
I should say that the UK is not a perfect example: Two women a week in the UK are killed by their partner or ex-partner, for example. We face many challenges. But it is good that I can have the opportunity to discuss with Ethiopians and the Ethiopian government best practice, and what more both Ethiopia and the UK can do to better protect and promote Ethiopian women.
The UK has put women and girls at the front and centre of its engagement in Ethiopia. We are taking steps to tackle all forms of violence against women; helping build a new generation of female leaders; and encouraging gender mainstreaming across the Ethiopian government.
The Girl Hub, a strategic collaboration between the Nike Foundation and DFID, is working to take the “girl effect” to scale in Ethiopia, investing more in what matters to girls, giving a voice to adolescent girls, and providing the confidence for them to make their own decisions about their own lives.
When I ran the 100 metres, I didn’t just help celebrate the start of London 2012 (which as a London MP, I am immensely excited and proud about). I hoped to be part of a message that says: “Ethiopian Women Matter.”