No Dialogue Without Women: A Call for True Inclusion in Ethiopia’s National Dialogue

The Coalition for Women’s Voice in the National Dialogue (CWVND), coordinated by TIMRAN, held an advocacy workshop. More than 60 people came together, from local communities, government officials, civil society groups, development partners, and media. Their goal was to make sure women’s voices are heard and respected in Ethiopia’s National Dialogue process.

This workshop was a big step forward in making sure women are not only included in name and number, but also actually shaping the future of the country. At the center of the workshop was a ten-point women’s agenda, this agenda was compiled by the Coalition for Women’s Voice in the National Dialogue and submitted to the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC). It was developed from the voices of over 6,000 women across ten regions and two city administrations. These women had shared their stories, struggles, and hopes, and their ideas were written down and organized into ten clear points that speak to real-life problems like safety, education, land ownership rights, health and peace.

The agenda includes the following ten key points:

1. The increment of violence and harmful traditional practices against women and children and lack of justice.

2. Lack of peace and political instability cause many problems for women in all parts of the country.

3. Due to the lack of attention given to women with disabilities, they are being vulnerable to many problems.

4. Women's political participation and decision-making roles are far below desired levels.

5. Limitation on women’s economic opportunities and land ownership rights.

6. Deep-rooted problems of good governance are increasing the pressure on women's fundamental rights.

7. The increasing pressure of the cost of living and unemployment on women.

8. Inaccessibility and lack of quality education to women especially in rural parts of the country.

9. Lack and inaccessibility of infrastructures that consider the overlapping pressures on women.

10. Women need a constitutional amendment that dignify national unity & peace.

During the workshop, women from the grassroots stood up and shared their experiences. These stories helped everyone understand why the ten points in the agenda are so important. One speaker said, “This agenda is not a wish list. It is a guide for real change.” Other participants emphasized the importance of moving beyond symbolic inclusion toward structural integration of women’s voices in policy-making and peacebuilding. 

Government representatives from the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, Ministry of Peace, and the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) acknowledged the coalition’s work and expressed readiness to align institutional frameworks with the submitted agenda. Civil society actors and international partners, like FES Ethiopia, echoed their support and pledged continued collaboration.

This workshop showed that Ethiopian women are not waiting on the sidelines. They are leading the way sharing their stories, offering solutions, and helping to build a more peaceful and fair country. As Ethiopia continues its National Dialogue process, one thing is clear, the future must include women. Not just as participants, but as leaders. Because when women lead, everyone benefits.