Ethiopia and UN Women Collaborate to Boost Gender Financing and Women’s Empowerment.

Addis Ababa: Ethiopia’s State Minister of Finance, Semereta Sewasew, met with Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, to discuss ongoing efforts in gender financing, gender equality, and women’s empowerment in Ethiopia. During the meeting, State Minister Semereta reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to promoting women’s leadership across various sectors, fostering inclusive growth, and ensuring diverse perspectives in decision-making processes at all levels.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, State Minister Semereta expressed appreciation for UN Women’s significant contributions in advancing gender tracking, promoting women’s financial empowerment, and enhancing access to finance and financial inclusion for women. These initiatives have been instrumental in addressing gender disparities in the financial sector, paving the way for a more inclusive economy. Semereta acknowledged UN Women’s leadership in supporting gender budgeting and strengthening women’s access to finance as pivotal in c
reating equitable opportunities for all Ethiopians.

The discussion underscored Ethiopia’s progress in gender-responsive budgeting (GRB), particularly through the endorsement of the Gender Budget Statement (GBS) and the development of a toolkit. Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, praised these efforts, recognizing their significance in promoting gender-responsive policies. She noted that Ethiopia’s gender budgeting initiatives serve as a model for other countries in the region, and UN Women remains committed to supporting Ethiopia’s journey towards inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Moreover, UN Women’s Country Representative, Cecile Mukarubuga, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the implementation of GBS at both national and sub-national levels. She emphasized the importance of tailored support to maximize the impact of these initiatives.

State Minister Semereta stressed the need to build capacity at the federal and regional levels to enhance the
effectiveness of gender financing initiatives. “Expanding capacity across all levels is crucial to ensure the success of these programs and foster sustainable, inclusive growth across Ethiopia,” she stated. She also expressed anticipation for further collaboration with UN Women to develop robust systems that ensure sustainable gender financing, ultimately empowering women and driving lasting social and economic progress.