First Lady of Ethiopia (Ge'ez: የኢትዮጵያ ቀዳማዊት እመቤት) is a title for the wife of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Prime Minister. Officially the concept of First Lady applied in Ethiopian politics since 1995. Although the first lady's role has never been codified or officially defined, she figures prominently in the political and social life of the nation. 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.[1]
| First Lady of Ethiopia | |
|---|---|
| የኢትዮጵያ ቀዳማዊት እመቤት | |
since 2 April 2018 | |
| Style | Her Excellency |
| Abbreviation | FLOE |
| Residence | Office of First Lady |
| Seat | Addis Abeba |
| Formation | December 4, 1995 |
| Website | Office of First Lady |
History
In Ethiopian history, the word ‘Majesty’ was the symbol of royal title that has been referred to a king or Queen. The wife of royal family could share a power with her royal title of ‘Queen’ which has created alliances among the other side. It means, the name of ‘Queen’ had recognized by societies and entitled with a power for the wife of a king, then she had a supreme power to advise her husband to sustain and keep a monarchal system from generation to generation (by appoint her son to be a king) such as Queen Eleni, Seble wengel, Mintewab, Empress Taytu. They were contributed their special position to their country as well as the state of subjects. They have passed their legacy to the advancement of Ethiopian women. People has followed them as their leaders equivalent to their king (Tayitu is the best example).[1][2]
After the annihilated of Monarchal system and substituted by military system (socialism ideology), the wife of Ethiopian leader had not any title for the couple of decades. But after the Transitional government of Ethiopia succeeded, the concept of first lady come alive when the wife of President Negasso Gidida (Dr.) Regina Abelt, citizen of Germany, officially became the Frist Lady of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in 1995.[1]
In 2013, 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.[1][3]
List of first ladies
| Number | Name | Nationality | Wife of | In office from | To | Name of Prime Minister | Name of President |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Regina Abelt | Germany | Negasso Gidada | 4 December 1995 | 8 October 2001 | Meles Zenawi | Negasso Gidada |
| 2 | Azeb Mesfin | Ethiopia | Meles Zenawi | 8 October 2001 | 20 August 2012 | Meles Zenawi | Girma Wolde-Giorgis |
| 3 | Roman Tesfaye | Ethiopia | Hailemariam Desalegn | 20 August 2012 | 2 April 2018 | Hailemariam Desalegn | Mulatu Teshome |
| 4 | Zinash Tayachew | Ethiopia | Abiy Ahmed | 2 April 2018 | Now | Abiy Ahmed | Sahle-Work Zewde |
References
- ^ a b c d Nigussie, Natnael (June 17, 2019). "Ethiopian First Lady's Contribution to Women Empowerment". Addis Ababa University. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
- ^ Biseswar, I (2011). The role of educated/intellectual women in Ethiopia in the process of change and transformation towards gender equality 1974-2005. South Africa: University of South Africa.
- ^ "Office of the First Lady of the FDRE Vacancies and Jobs in Ethiopia | Ethiojobs". www.ethiojobs.net. Retrieved October 19, 2020.