ECSU Celebrated International Women's Day
Ethiopian Civil Service University employees and students celebrated International Women's Day (March 8) on March 8, 2011 at the University’s main compass under the theme “Active participation of women is crucial for the success of the GTP.”
In the occasion Honorable Dr. Hailemichael Abera, President of the University, Lieutenant Colonel Fitsum G/Egziabhere, Director, Finance Directorate for Ministry of Defense, Institute directors, instructors and other female employees and students of the University were in attendance.
W/ro Abay Akemachew, Head of Center for Gender and Development said in the occasion that March 8 marks the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day. It is dedicated to the struggle of 15,000 American women who raised their banners for equal footing with men. She said
" the women raised questions like equal pay for equal work, the right to vote, shorter work hours, and an end to child labor exploitation. "
According to her explanation these women adopted the slogan "Bread and Roses", with bread symbolizing economic security and roses a better quality of life.
She added following the declaration of the Socialist Party of America, the first ever National Woman's Day was celebrated in the United States on 28 February 1909. Women continued to celebrate it on the last Sunday of that month through 1913.
Dr. Hailemichael Aberra, President of the University on his part said
" we have to associate the historical back ground of the International Women’s Day movement with our country and the regions we come from."
He added the people of Ethiopia were deprived of their political, economic and social rights for many years. The Nation’s Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia fought against the oppressors. It was with the martyrs blood that the foundation of the constitution was laid and enjoyed by people’s of Ethiopia.
Dr. Hailemichael also pointed out that we are able to establish a federal system in which productivity grown and the rights of nations, nationalities and peoples respected. Ethiopian Civil Service University through Center for Gender and Development is working to capacitate female employees of the University in particular and female public servants in the country in general, said Dr. Hailemichael.
Lieutenant Colonel Fitsum G/Egziabhere, Director, Finance Directorate for Ministry of Defense also shared her work and life experience to the participants.
Students representing each region demonstrate cultural shows and explained females role and contribution in their respective regions and the current changes in respect to their roles in the country’s development efforts.