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President Sahle-Work’s Mentorship Program Empowers 1500 Female Students

Addis Ababa, June 15, 2024– In a significant stride towards gender equality and women’s empowerment, the Presidential Mentorship Program, initiated by President Sahle-Work Zewde, celebrated the completion of its first cycle with 1500 female students from five universities across Ethiopia. The graduation ceremony highlighted the transformative impact of mentorship in fostering leadership skills and reducing systemic barriers faced by women in higher education.

In her congratulatory remarks, President Sahle-Work emphasized the profound impact mentorship had on her own journey. “I have seen the benefits of mentorship in my previous life. As soon as I became President, one of my first tasks was to call a meeting of officials of all universities to identify gaps. One of them was about empowering women. Mentorship is about providing tools, guidance, and support needed by less experienced individuals. It is about the responsibility of lifting up a person and contributing to society, as we all have a social responsibility. Women need to reach leadership positions where decisions are made—that’s where she can make a difference. Mentorship opens up this opportunity.”

The Presidential Mentorship Program was meticulously designed to promote women’s leadership and tackle gender inequality. Targeting female students in their final two years of university, the program connected them with professional women from various fields. These mentors provided invaluable advice, guidance, and support, equipping the mentees for successful careers and leadership roles post-graduation.

Implementation and Participation

The program spanned two years, involving five public universities: Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU), Debark University, Debre Berhan University, Haramaya University, and Wolkite University. Each university aimed to recruit 40 mentors, making a total of 200 mentors, who dedicated six months to mentoring five female students each.

Mentors were selected based on their educational background, work experience, and commitment to women’s rights advocacy. They also needed to be geographically accessible to deliver mentorship services at the university locations. Before the program’s commencement, mentors underwent a training session to align their objectives with the program’s goals.

Upon the program’s completion, mentors received a certification of acknowledgment from the Institute of International Education (IIE), recognizing their contribution to the Gender Inclusive Universities Project.

President Sahle-Work’s vision for the program has set a precedent for future initiatives aimed at empowering women in Ethiopia. By providing mentorship and support, the program not only prepared the students for the workforce but also aimed to instill in them the confidence and skills necessary for leadership roles.

The success of this program underscores the importance of mentorship in achieving gender equality and the pivotal role of women in leadership positions. As Ethiopia continues to strive for a more inclusive and equitable society, the Presidential Mentorship Program stands as a beacon of progress and hope for future generations of women leaders.

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Habtamu Alemu

Habtamu Alemu is a seasoned journalist and the editor-in-chief of Ethio Eyewitness News.

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