October 29, 2018

The case of Rwanda, Ethiopia and women in government

located:	Rwanda, Ethiopia
editor:	Bob Koigi

In another first for Africa, Rwanda and Ethiopia presidents have appointed women into half of the ministerial positions while reducing slots to ensure a strong government that is focused on delivery.

The new cabinets in both countries also comprise of youthful ministers in what has been interpreted as attempts by the heads of the Eastern Africa countries to place in the driving seat two constituencies (young people and women) that have traditionally been locked out of key government appointments, despite being the majority and crucial in any country’s empowerment and development.

The two countries now join a selected few, predominantly European, countries who have achieved equal representation for men and women in ministerial positions. Rwanda has been celebrated the world over for actively advocating for women participation in government; 61 percent of all members in the country are women.

Both presidents share the notion that placing women in positions of power not only empowers them but tackles the root causes of a nation’s problems comprehensively. While for Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, women are less corrupt than men and time is ripe to prove wrong conservatives of women leadership, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame is guided by the fact that giving women more decision making roles curtails gender-based discrimination and violence.

The two countries have trailblazed in economic growth and prosperity in Africa and are regularly cited as the next continental frontiers pointing to the crucial link between women empowerment and a country’s prosperity.

As the rest of the continent struggles with actualising constitutional provisions and commitments to attain gender parity in leadership and government, perhaps the political class should train eyes on the unstoppable rise of the two East African economies and the central role women will play in navigating their take off.

Photo: Celebrating International Women's Day in Côte d'Ivoire, UN / Ky Chung