Sahle-Work Zewde, Ethiopia’s First Female President
Named the 97th most powerful woman in 2018 by Forbes, Sahle-Work Zewde is the current President of Ethiopia, the first female in the history of the country to hold that position.
A seasoned diplomat, prior to her election as President, she was the special representative of the United Nations’ Secretary-General and at the same time the Head of the United Nations office to the African Union. She also served as Ethiopia’s ambassador to different countries including France, Senegal, and Djibouti.
Sahle-Work was also the head of the UN office to Kenya. Even though (according to Ethiopian law) her powers as the president are ceremonial, her appointment raises hope for women’s representation and gender equality in politics in Ethiopia, Africa, and beyond.
Sahle-Work Zewde is our Woman of the Week because she represents change, hope, a voice for women, and gender equality.
Sources:
Al Jazeera. Who is Sahle-Work Zewde, Ethiopia’s first female president? Tue. 07 May 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/sahle-work-zewde-ethiopia-female-president-181027134726828.html
Al Jazeera. Sahle-Work Zewde named Ethiopia’s first female president, Tue. 07 May 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/sahle-work-zewde-named-ethiopia-woman-president-181025084046138.html
Forbes. Power Women 2018, Tue. 07 May 2019, https://www.forbes.com/profile/sahle-work-zewde/#6d0ac70c4a31
