Ethiopian First Lady’s Contribution to Women Empowerment
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Date
2019-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study explored the First Lady’s contribution to the advancement of women in Ethiopia. A
purposive sampling technique and qualitative research design were used as a major study tools
to identify respondents and share their perspective and experience. the former Ethiopian First
Lady Mrs. Roman Tesfaye was key informant and the other participants from the FDRE justice
legal system research institute, the House of Representative (from women and children affairs
standing committee), OAFLA, the OFL of FDRE and selected and participated. Semi-structured
interview was used as data collection instrument and the study was supported through secondary
and primary data sources. Thematic analyses using triangulation was used to refine data. The
findings indicate that Ethiopian First Ladies’ role has not recorded and no more influential as
the history of the previous Ethiopian Empresses (they had crowned that make them to have
authorized position in a country) because of legitimacy gap. In Ethiopia, the name of the ‘First
Lady’ has derived from the Western countries since 1995 while Regina Abelt (wife of the former
President Dr. Negasso Gedida) referred as the first Ethiopian First Lady. There is no legal
background to be ‘First Lady’ and it has given through a common sense. The boundaries of the
First Lady cannot be known and her duty and responsibility has not defined officially. However,
the role of First Lady is created by her and contributes her unique position to improve women
and children’s capacity but her contribution has not been known at the broader public realm. In
2013, the federal democratic republic of Ethiopia the office of the First Lady has established
during the reign of the former First Lady Mrs. Roman Tesfaye. All programs that undertaking by
of the office has its significant to the Ethiopian women’s empowerment and address the national
gender issues. the major challenges of the First Lady are due to undefined role, stakeholders are
not comfortable to work together due to unclear jobs descriptions (Undefined role); she does not
have a government supported budget to recruit a technical advisor and professional experts
(Scarcity of resources); because of her educational and personal experience she struggles to
choose government’s prioritized initiatives (Personal Attributes); and first Lady's agenda can be
criticized or demeaned by political opponents – thus obstructing her ability to effectively
influence change (Public and political environment). Nevertheless, the First Lady’s role can
bring a tectonic shift in women’s empowerment and gender issues if its scope can be expanded
and persisted especially if it is supported through an official legal provision with full autonomy.
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First Lady’s