Medemer Expanding Women’s Role in Nat’l Transformation: Minister

Addis Ababa, November 5, 2026 (ENA)— Ethiopia’s Medemer philosophy is promoting women’s participation in political leadership and national development by bringing their capabilities into decision-making and economic activities, Culture and Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa said.

At a panel held as a side event of the African Political Parties Summit in Addis Ababa today, the Minister noted that Medemer emphasizes collective participation, cooperation and the contribution of all citizens toward shared national development goals.

“The strength of our society is determined not by the contribution of a few, but also the contribution of the whole,” she said, stressing the importance of collective participation in national transformation.

According to her, women’s empowerment goes beyond gender equality, encompassing justice, national productivity and democratic governance, while ensuring equal voice in decisions that shape society.

The Minister explained that Medemer, articulated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, is founded on synergy, cooperation and collective progress, bringing together the potential of all citizens to achieve shared national objectives.

Empowering women does not mean taking opportunities away from men, but rather combining the capabilities and contributions of both to advance national development, Selamawit added.

However, she noted that women’s contributions have not always been reflected in their participation in decision-making although women have made significant contributions to building families, strengthening communities, preserving cultural identities and maintaining heritage.

The Minister stressed that women’s empowerment must go beyond political representation to ensure their ability to influence decisions, shape policies, control resources, participate in economic activities and determine their own futures.

Highlighting Ethiopia’s experience after the reform, she said women have secured significant representation in parliament, the federal cabinet and government leadership structures, from local administrations to the federal level.

The growing women’s participation in the Prosperity Party also demonstrates their readiness to engage in political leadership and decision-making when given opportunities.

The increasing representation must nevertheless lead to meaningful influence in decisions concerning national security, infrastructure, education, social development, technology and digital transformation, according to Selamawit.

The Minister finally called for women’s empowerment to be connected more closely with economic transformation, saying women should be recognized as productive economic actors, investors, entrepreneurs, innovators and owners of capital rather than being viewed primarily as beneficiaries of social protection.

She further identified education and access to technology as essential foundations for developing future women leaders, alongside opportunities for meaningful political participation.

Concluding her remarks, the Minister stressed that women’s participation in political power should not be postponed until development is achieved, but must be an integral part of the development process to realize Africa’s ambitions for future generations.

The African Women Political Leadership Forum 2026 was a side event of the ongoing African Political Parties Summit 2026 in Addis Ababa.