Ethiopian First Ladys Contribution To Women Empowerment

This study explored the First Lady’s contribution to the advancement of women in Ethiopia. Arnpurposive sampling technique and qualitative research design were used as a major study toolsrnto identify respondents and share their perspective and experience. the former Ethiopian FirstrnLady Mrs. Roman Tesfaye was key informant and the other participants from the FDRE justicernlegal system research institute, the House of Representative (from women and children affairsrnstanding committee), OAFLA, the OFL of FDRE and selected and participated. Semi-structuredrninterview was used as data collection instrument and the study was supported through secondaryrnand primary data sources. Thematic analyses using triangulation was used to refine data. Thernfindings indicate that Ethiopian First Ladies’ role has not recorded and no more influential asrnthe history of the previous Ethiopian Empresses (they had crowned that make them to havernauthorized position in a country) because of legitimacy gap. In Ethiopia, the name of the ‘FirstrnLady’ has derived from the Western countries since 1995 while Regina Abelt (wife of the formerrnPresident Dr. Negasso Gedida) referred as the first Ethiopian First Lady. There is no legalrnbackground to be ‘First Lady’ and it has given through a common sense. The boundaries of thernFirst Lady cannot be known and her duty and responsibility has not defined officially. However,rnthe role of First Lady is created by her and contributes her unique position to improve womenrnand children’s capacity but her contribution has not been known at the broader public realm. Inrn2013, the federal democratic republic of Ethiopia the office of the First Lady has establishedrnduring the reign of the former First Lady Mrs. Roman Tesfaye. All programs that undertaking byrnof the office has its significant to the Ethiopian women’s empowerment and address the nationalrngender issues. the major challenges of the First Lady are due to undefined role, stakeholders arernnot comfortable to work together due to unclear jobs descriptions (Undefined role); she does notrnhave a government supported budget to recruit a technical advisor and professional expertsrn(Scarcity of resources); because of her educational and personal experience she struggles tornchoose government’s prioritized initiatives (Personal Attributes); and first Lady's agenda can berncriticized or demeaned by political opponents – thus obstructing her ability to effectivelyrninfluence change (Public and political environment). Nevertheless, the First Lady’s role canrnbring a tectonic shift in women’s empowerment and gender issues if its scope can be expandedrnand persisted especially if it is supported through an official legal provision with full autonomy.

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