BY ESSEYE MENGISTE
ADDIS ABABA-Ethiopia’s growth should be doubled by creating a conducive working environment for women, making proper use of their knowledge and skills, the Ethiopian Cooperative Commission (ECC) said.
ECC Commissioner Frealem Shibabaw told the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that ensuring the equal involvement of women in professional and private spheres is key to accelerating the development of the country and creating a civilized society. Since women and men have different perspectives, it is possible to make them participate equally in all sectors. It is important to increase the level of development of the country by using the knowledge and wisdom given to women by nature, she added.
As a country, there is some progress in ensuring women’s participation in various sectors including leadership. To be more effective, we should focus on awareness creation, engaging scholars with knowledge about women, supporting women, and strengthening legislative institutions.
The commissioner further highlighted the prevalence of women who could compete with men in any area that require the utmost knowledge and expertise. “A woman is believed to be able to work effectively and achieve results and is considered to carry out any tasks and responsibilities. Women are expected to demonstrate their capability in involving areas that are traditionally labeled for men”
Any procedure in which women are not involved will not be complete. Creating a decent workplace for women is the responsibility of every office. Providing jobs to women is crucial to ensure a country that will be developed by the equal participation of its sons and daughters. There is pressure from family and society that prevent women from studying, employing and pursuing knowledge and forcing them to be engaged in family care. Knowledge is a tool to overcome this sort of challenge.
Many measures have been taken to prevent the exploitation of women and early marriage. And great progress has been made by the government in expanding schools and teaching by religious denominations, but it should be worked on to ease the challenges. Women should be educated, get vocational training, and have decent jobs and income to lead independent lives. The government and the community have to play a share in this happening, Frealem emphasized.
THE ETHIOPIAN WEDNESDAY 8 MARCH 2023
