This year 13,000 girls and women are expected to run in support of the theme.
This year’s theme – I LEAD – was chosen to celebrate the remarkable progress in bringing women leadership to high-level political positions. The formation of the record 50 percent women cabinet as well as the appointment of the first female president and the first Supreme Court President are commendable steps taken by Ethiopia that is implementing a range of political and reforms under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
At a pre-press conference which was also attended by Ms. Yelam Tsegaye, Minister of Women, Children and Youth, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Aeneas Chuma, said, “the United Nations recognizes the importance of bringing women to high-level leadership to influence key decisions and pave the way for building more resilient societies and vibrant economies and subsequently to achieve a more just, peaceful and prosperous world.
“I Lead” - the theme chosen this year’s run – also underscores the significant role of women leadership in the transformation of the country, Mr. Chuma said. “It also stresses the importance of personal commitment – more women, from all walks of life and interests, need to step up and say ‘I Lead!’.
Mr. Chuma also underscored the importance to sustaining the momentous change in Ethiopia that is opening more opportunities for women in political leadership positions and ensure that it is expanded to all structures and at all levels
“Achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment is integral to each of the 17 goals of the Sustainable Development Goals – the SDGs or Agenda 2030. Only by ensuring the rights of women and girls across all the goals will we get to justice, inclusive and prosperous world,” added Mr. Chuma.
