Ethiopian News Agency
President Girma Woldegiorgis said the government is committed to empower women and enable them become self sufficient and confident citizens.
The International Women’s Day (IWD) was colorfully marked at a national level at the Millennium Hall here on Saturday under the theme ‘Women ensure Ethiopia’s renaissance participating in and benefiting from development and good governance’.
Speaking at the occasion, President Girma said the envisaged renaissance of Ethiopia and democracy can only be ensured with the active participation of women in the new Ethiopian millennium.
The development polices and strategies designed by the government have not only helped to ensure the participation and benefit of women but also producing several development heroines.
Making use of the prevailing conducive environment, women are registering encouraging results in development activities, the president said, adding, women had a significant contribution in the country’s economic growth registered over the past consecutive years.
He called upon citizens, governmental and non-governmental organizations to attach due attention to gender related issues. He also called on women to organize in associations and stand for their constitutional rights.
Minister of Women’s Affairs, Hirut Delebo on her part said this year’s IWD is special as it coincides with the new Ethiopian Millennium.
She said a lot has been done on part of the government to end gender disparity and gender based violence, which had been prominent not only in Ethiopia but in the world at large.
She said a lot is expected from women, who constitute half of the population, to ensure Ethiopia’s renaissance in the new millennium.
Successful women farmers pastoralists, athletes and business persons , among others, have received medals and awards from President Girma on the occasion.
As part of the occasion, Millennium 2000 Vision of Women, a photographic exhibition was organized by the Ministry of Women's Affairs and the Ministry of Information.
Ambassadors, representatives of international organizations, religious leaders and women from different walks of life attended the occasion.
Ethiopia is marking IWD for 32nd time.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
British teacher avoids jail in Ethiopia
ADDIS ABABA, March 7 (Reuters) - A British teacher avoided a prison term in Ethiopia on Friday despite refusing to comply with a court order to apologise to a Swiss charity for accusing it of covering up sex abuse at a children's home.
Jill Campbell was convicted of defamation in 2001 and ordered to apologise to Terre Des Hommes-Lausanne (TdH) or face jail. But lawyers for the charity said it had dropped the demand for an apology, noting that her husband Gary, also convicted for defamation in the same case, had said sorry.
The couple had compiled evidence that helped convict David Christie, the British director of an orphanage run by Terre Des Hommes-Lausanne, of abusing several young boys. He was sentenced in 2003 to nine years of hard labour.
The charity admitted the abuse had happened but rejected the couple's accusations of a cover-up.
Emerging from a small courthouse in the capital Addis Ababa, Campbell was met with hugs, kisses and cheers from a group of supporters, both foreigners and locals.
"This case is not about me," she said. "It's about the victims who have been left behind."
Gary Campbell had apologised to the charity but later said this was so someone would be free to look after the couple's two adopted Ethiopian children. Jill Campbell had faced a possible six months in prison for refusing to apologise.
Surrounded by friends, family and well-wishers at her home, Campbell told Reuters that she didn't feel like celebrating until the victims of abuse were treated fairly.
"I have two children so it would have been tough to go to jail," she said.
"But going to prison would have highlighted this case again. TdH have never apologised to the children who've been abused or offered them any compensation or psychological help."
Among those at Campbell's home was a 26-year-old man who said he had been a victim of abuse in the orphanage when 14 years old. He did not want to be named.
The Campbells have lived in Addis Ababa for 14 years and are known locally for their charity work. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/ ) (Editing by Katie Nguyen)
Jill Campbell was convicted of defamation in 2001 and ordered to apologise to Terre Des Hommes-Lausanne (TdH) or face jail. But lawyers for the charity said it had dropped the demand for an apology, noting that her husband Gary, also convicted for defamation in the same case, had said sorry.
The couple had compiled evidence that helped convict David Christie, the British director of an orphanage run by Terre Des Hommes-Lausanne, of abusing several young boys. He was sentenced in 2003 to nine years of hard labour.
The charity admitted the abuse had happened but rejected the couple's accusations of a cover-up.
Emerging from a small courthouse in the capital Addis Ababa, Campbell was met with hugs, kisses and cheers from a group of supporters, both foreigners and locals.
"This case is not about me," she said. "It's about the victims who have been left behind."
Gary Campbell had apologised to the charity but later said this was so someone would be free to look after the couple's two adopted Ethiopian children. Jill Campbell had faced a possible six months in prison for refusing to apologise.
Surrounded by friends, family and well-wishers at her home, Campbell told Reuters that she didn't feel like celebrating until the victims of abuse were treated fairly.
"I have two children so it would have been tough to go to jail," she said.
"But going to prison would have highlighted this case again. TdH have never apologised to the children who've been abused or offered them any compensation or psychological help."
Among those at Campbell's home was a 26-year-old man who said he had been a victim of abuse in the orphanage when 14 years old. He did not want to be named.
The Campbells have lived in Addis Ababa for 14 years and are known locally for their charity work. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/ ) (Editing by Katie Nguyen)
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