A global-sized round of applause is in order for Sahle-Work Zewde, who was appointed Ethiopia’s first female president, according to NBC News.
The African country’s senior diplomat, who also serves as U.N. under-secretary general and representative of the secretary general to the African Union, was approved by parliament in proceedings that were broadcast on state TV.
She will be the effective replacement for Mulatu Teshome Wirtu, who resigned.
In Ethiopia, the prime minister actually holds the executive power, but dignitaries in the nation have acknowledged her placement as “a historical move.”
In a patriarchal society such as ours, the appointment of a female head of state not only sets the standard for the future but also normalises women as decision-makers in public life. #Ethiopia (2) pic.twitter.com/3Z8UNd15E0
— Fitsum Arega (@fitsumaregaa) October 25, 2018
“In a historic move, the two Houses has elected Ambassador Shalework Zewde as the next President of #Ethiopia,” tweeted Fitsum Arega, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister. “She is the first female head of state in modern Ethiopia. A career diplomat & senior official at the UN, she brings the right competence & experience to the office.”
The appointment is said to be one of many to bring gender equality to high offices in the government. According to the local ABC News outlet, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who came to power in April, added 10 female ministers to his cabinet.
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