First Lady of Ethiopia (Amharic: የኢትዮጵያ ቀዳማዊት እመቤት, romanized:ye’ītyop’ya k’edamawīt imebēt) 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. The use of the title "First Lady" by the spouse of the prime minister is unusual compared to other parliamentary republics, where the title would be used by the spouse of the president; indeed, initially it was Regina Abelt, the wife of president Negasso Gidada, who was regarded as the first lady of Ethiopia, from the post's formation in 1995 to the election of Girma Wolde-Giorgis as president in 2001.[1]
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]
In 2013, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia the Office of the First Lady has established during the reign of the former First Lady 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
List of Ethiopian first ladies, and prime ministers and presidents by the time of their first ladyship
↑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.
