Addis Ababa:Ethiopia’s Minister of Women and Social Affairs, Shawit Shanka, emphasized the essential role of women's leadership in Africa's economic transformation. She urged African countries to ensure women's equal participation in political leadership and economic decision-making, asserting that the continent cannot achieve its full development potential while marginalizing half of its population.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Minister delivered her remarks during the joint opening session of the 2nd African Political Parties Summit 2026, held alongside the Africa Women Political Leadership Forum 2026 and the African Youth in Politics Forum 2026 in Addis Ababa. She highlighted the importance of recognizing women as producers, innovators, leaders, and agents of peace and development, rather than merely beneficiaries of assistance.
Shawit noted that investing in women contributes significantly to economic transformation, democratic governance, social cohesion, and sustainable development. She pointed out that Africa is experiencing substantial changes due to geopolitical shifts, technological advancements, demographic trends, climate pressures, and evolving economic relationships. The Minister called on African countries to proactively shape these changes through visionary leadership, resilient institutions, and collective action.
She explained that Ethiopia’s development approach, guided by the principle of Medemer, focuses on synergy, togetherness, and collective contribution. Women are seen as equal stakeholders, productive agents, and co-architects of the country's transformation. Shawit stressed the need for visionary leadership, sustained political commitment, and strong institutional action to advance women's leadership, particularly within political parties.
Shawit also highlighted the commitment of Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party-led government to women’s empowerment, stating that the Medemer philosophy demonstrates that women can lead at every level. The Minister underscored Ethiopia’s experience as an example of what can be achieved through political will, an inclusive development philosophy, and sustained action.
In her address, Shawit urged African countries to build a continent where women are equally represented in political leadership and economically empowered, with strong institutions to protect them. She called for an Africa where every girl can aspire to become a leader, entrepreneur, scientist, or policymaker without barriers imposed by gender or circumstances. Shawit officially opened the joint forum, calling for stronger collective efforts to advance women's political leadership across the continent.
