BY BETELHEM BEDLU
ADDIS ABABA– As part of the celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD), it is important to unlock the potential of women in building and maintaining peace in the country, the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs (MoWSA) said.
Speaking to The Ethiopian , Hilina Lakew, Violence against Women Protection and Response Desk Official at MoWSA, stated that ensuring the role of women in peacebuilding has multilayered significance for the country. Though the day will be marked with last year’s similar theme ‘I am my sister’s keeper’ nationally, given the impact it brought about, women’s role in national peace building, innovation, and technology to ensure gender equality, let’s use the potential of women for nation building, are amongst the main messages’ that this year’s IWD will be marked on.
Noting that the national opening program was held in Gambella in early February with various mobilization activities, she indicated that different programs will also be organized in Semera, Afar. In line with the IWD international theme which is ‘Digit ALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality,’ the closing event will touch up on various issues. Of the issues, the activities of one-stop centers (OSC) that provide comprehensive medical, legal, and psychosocial services to victims of gender-based violence (GBV) would be assessed.
Similarly, women’s indigenous role in peace-building as well as the impact of peace-building mobilizing activities that have been carried out will also be evaluated. Meanwhile, Hilina pointed out that her office has been putting the utmost effort into empowering women economically. To this effect, a large number of women have nurtured a saving culture and have been organized in cooperatives to engage in various self-help businesses at the district level.
Also, the ministry has almost finalized to put Gender-Based Violence (GBV) protection and response policy in place and waiting for approval. Furthermore, it has undertaken several awareness-raising activities to tackle GBV. International Women’s Day (IWD) is being celebrated for the 46th time under the theme ‘I am the protector of my sister’ while it is being marked globally under the theme ‘Digit ALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality’ for the 112th time.
THE ETHIOPIAN WEDNESDAY 8 MARCH 2023
