PRESS RELEASE
WASHINGTON DC — Ethiopian women from various ages and background met for a conference in Washington DC from March 9 to March 11, 2012. The conference participants came from various States of America as well as from Canada and Europe. The theme of the conference was “Empowering Ethiopian Women and Advancing Their Rights.” The three-day conference discussed issues that are pertinent to inter-generational Ethiopian women at home and in the Diaspora. The first session was open to the general public and started its program with a one-minute silent prayer for the late Congressman Donald Payne. Two prominent speakers, Dr. Tsehay BerhaneSelassie and Ms. Anuradha Mital, presented their papers via Skype from Ireland and California respectively.
The Taitu Cultural Center performed two short plays about two courageous Ethiopian women, Empress Taitu Bitul and Shewareged Gedle. During this session, the International Ethiopian Women Conference honored Judge Birtukan Midekssa, former prisoner of conscience. Ato Shambel Belayneh and Woizero Maritu Legesse also performed for the audience.
On March 10th and 11th the conference was open only to women. During this session several issues that have direct impact on women were discussed including,
1. the current socio-economic status of Ethiopian women;
2. employment opportunities to women with particular emphasis on the complexities of migration of Ethiopian women to Middle East Arab countries; and
3. violence against women as well as health issues afflicting women.
On March 10, 2012, Dr. Melaku Tegegn from Kampala presented a paper via video that provided an analysis of the socio-economic impact of poverty from the Ethiopian women perspective. Other authors who sent their respective papers for presentations were Ms Sosesna Demissie, Ms Sihin Teferra from Ethiopia, and Dr. Hirut Haile, from Malaysia.
Shewaye Molla, the former Ethiopian domestic worker at Kaddafi’s family house and who suffered horrible abuse by her employer, gave interview via satellite. A letter sent by Ato Dawit, who works for an international organization, who also firsthand visited and witnessed the conditions of Ethiopian women in Middle East Arab countries was read. The letter described the vivid atrocities being committed on Ethiopian women and the lack of support from international organizations. In the context of the letter read, the importance of civil societies and the media in promoting women’s causes were discussed.
On March 11th, the focus of the conference was on issues that Ethiopian women in the Diaspora are facing. Live testimonies by Ethiopian immigrants to the USA were part of the presentation.
Furthermore, presenters reviewed past experiences of Ethiopian women’s organizations and the challenges they had faced.
In the last session, the participants discussed the way forward. Participants agreed to create a new strong women’s organization that will address the issues discussed at the conference.
The conference was well attended by diverse groups of Ethiopian women.
A number of young Ethiopian women who attended signed up to join the organization that will be formed soon. The organizers are delighted to report that the first International Ethiopian Women Conference in the Diaspora completed its mission with resounding Success. For example, the following e-mail was sent by one of the young Ethiopian women participant.
…The exposure I had to such educated, experienced women in life’s trials and black women but more so African women had an enormous impact on my life in the past 2 days. To be in the midst of such powerful individuals has given me more confidence in understanding my purpose in life. You all have encouraged me beyond words can express. To know and witness the realness of such individuals has given me confidence for hope to make a difference first in the lives of my peers, second the lives of my country, and third the world because I am now more powerful with the information you’ve carved in me in the past 2 days…
Resolutions of the conference will be posted on http://www.ethiowomenconfrence.org/shortly.
For further information, please contact Lemlem Tsegaw, Public Relations Officer at [email protected]
12 thoughts on “Ethiopian women held a conference in Washington DC”
This meeting is not for all Ethiopians. It should be called non muslim women meeting. Please don’t bring Middle east into issue no body forced you to go. Follow country’s rule or you are out. I dont see no hijab wearing Muslim women.
Anonymous replies:
March 18th, 2012 at 12:34 AM
Hijab is not Ethiopian culture, it is an Arab culture. My cousin is a muslem and she never ware hijab, she shows he beuty to all to see and admire. I think ER has a forum for people like you, go and join the Awash, Revelation, Akele and the ObamasJR. What are you doing in this page where intelectuals are discussing ideas.
gragn ahmed replies:
March 18th, 2012 at 10:21 AM
I think you are mistaken to believe hijab is Arab culture. Hijab came after Islam had come. It is not like the Men dress which can be Arab culture and that is why it is not required Islamic dress. Hence, hijab is worn by many non Arab Muslims. Example, Turkey, Iran, Indonesia, Pakistan, Malasia, Albania, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Somali, Sudan, Djibouti, etc. Are you saying these are Arab people?
Even though Hijab is Arab culture why do you care? Can we not take culture from Arabs but not from West? You have western slavery mentality or you are narrow nationalist who thinks Amara culture is the only thing Ethiopian or Tigre. We are tired of depicting Ethiopians as if they are one type. It is sad I can not see my hijab wearing sisters in the conference. Even Bible talks about hijab that is why catholic nuns wear it or jew wear it. If you worry about your culture why you practice jews culture which is Bible. All christian prophets are Jews. Every thing the Ethiopian church does is jew culture/
As to your cousin, I think she will wear hijab if she reads this comment or if you read this to her.
I still don’t understand why people associate Arabs with hijab. There are Arab christians who don’t use hijab. There are Arab countries like Tunisia who don’t use hijab because they are not good Muslims. I have cousins who don’t use hijab. The reason is they are not confident or they are not informed of the value of it. Hijab protects our women from evils of our men like Anonymous whose interest is in admiring women body. My friend admire your creator and you will get lasting peace.
We are not forcing you to wear hijab so don’t force us to not wear hijab. Your religion is yours, my religion is mine.
I am tired of this or that. Any national conference which does not include diversity of our people will not be as successful.
Anonymous replies:
March 18th, 2012 at 8:56 PM
You saw a picture and you concluded that the meeting was not Ethiopians but Ethiopian Christians and because you did not see hijab! I grew up in Dessie, and majority did not ware hijab, today every corner you see hijab as a distinguishing feature of Ethiopian Muslim girls. Why? Only the Arab wives from Yemen ware hijab at that time but for the majority there was distinguish based on dress codes. Today the Alamudis petrodollar is imposing hijab culture on Ethiopian women. Why? Is this the new Islam in Ethiopia pushed by Osama Bladen? We had the various religions, Jews, Christians and Moslems for centuries and dress code that define them their nationality.
Tekestebirhan replies:
March 19th, 2012 at 9:37 AM
Gragn Ahmed
I was there among other muslims I know personally of in the meeting and none of us wore a hijab .
Religion was in noway an issue for us who was participating at the meeting. Just because I did not have a hijab on it does not mean the meeting should be called non muslim women meeting. After all the meeting was at a free land.
I am sure you yourself do not wear the muslim Arab men outfit
Do you regularly wear Traditional Bisht , taqiyah , keffiyah , turban (imama) , Thobe , Ghutra – Chmagh and Sirwal ?
Until you Ethiopian men do that we women have a choice to wear Hijab or not. Women need to have equal rights like men and we will make sure you obey that.
Gragn Ahmed replies:
March 19th, 2012 at 10:39 PM
THANK YOU FOR SENDING YOUR COMMENTS. OUR CHRISTIANS ARE THE MOST IGNORANT. HOW COME YOU DON’T COMMENT WHEN PENTES BRING NEW CULTURE FROM WEST. I NEVER COMPLAINED, IF YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT OTHERS BUT WHEN PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT YOU WHAT IS THE POINT OF FREE DISCUSSION.
I FEEL THAT THIS COMMITTE WAS DELIBERATELY DISCRIMINATING PEOPLE BASED ON WHETHER OR NOT THEY WEAR HIJAB. I DID NOT COMPLAIN IF THERE WERE MUSLIMS. I SAID IF THERE ARE NO HIJAB WEARING MUSLIM WOMEN,
HIJAB IS FREEDOM NOT OPPRESSION. IT IS A SYMBOL OF SPIRITUALITY. MARY IS PICTURES AS WEARING HIJAB EVEN BY CHRISTIANS. HIJAB CAME AFTER ISLAM IN ARABIA IT IS NOT ARAB CULTURE. ARABS DON’T WEAR HIJAB. SO STOP BLABBERING. AT ANY RATE PLEASE DON’T MIC UP ARABS WITH ISLAM.
TEKELETSADIK,
YOU ARE VERY MISCHIEVIOUS. DON’T TELL US WHO WE ARE. WE WILL DO IT OUR OWN WAY AND YOU CAN DO IT YOUR WAY. IF YOU CALL THIS MEETING ETHIOPIAN, IT IS SO INSULTING WITH MUSLIMS IN IT.
Anonymous replies:
March 20th, 2012 at 1:16 PM
Mr. Grange, you wrote that the ortodox christians are ignorant and like wise the pentes also accuse the orthodox as ignorant, in that I hate both of you. Both of you are preparing to creat a religious war in ethiopia again. In the 15th. Century, Grange Mohamed supported by Turks and Gelawdios supported by Portugees ignited religious war in Ethiopia, and so many inocent muslims and christians in the country disapered, killed and churches and mosqes burned down. So now both of you are preparing the country for a fresh religious war, in 21st. Century. Moslems supported by Arabs petrodollar and the West Christians like pente money they collect money in Europe and America by claiming oppresed Christians in Ethiopia. There is a lot of confusion in your writing, you claim Hijab came from Arabs, and where did Islam came from? Was is it not from Arabs? So why are acusing me mixing Arabs and Islam. when they are inseparable entities. I could write a lot on this topic but let me stop here, because you are the most ignorant when it comes to the culture and belief of Ethiopian Moslems and Christians.
One of the lessons in my Ethiopian history classes, I always remembers was that of Yodit Gudit, who lead a rebellion in Ethiopia in 10th. Century, against the Axumite rulers. In the Ethiopian history she is always depicted as cruel rebel who destroyed churches etc. just like Thewodros in the 19th. Century depicted as cruel leader. But now when I look back to history after experiencing the type of rulers we have in Ethiopia, she has been my heroin an Ethiopian historical figure who stood for justice. I am sure many who followed her then, must have been poor exploited peasants, who rose against the injustices of their era. I am sure; there are many more Yodits in today’s Ethiopian women generations. Ethiopia is desperately in need of modern Yodit to smash our oppressors from Axum called TPLF. So far our men have failed to lead us to end our misery. I pray for the new Yodit!
Glad to see Ethiopian women are taking initiatives to discuss important issues such as these. Hopefully, they should continue to lead in more important causes for our beloved people and country.
well don my sisters keep up the good work. united Ethiopian women means to me is united family and strong Ethiopia…
Disturbing case of Bayisa highlights domestic abuse and weak oversight in Ethiopia. The unfolding case of Ethiopia’s Olympic bronze medalist Fita Bayisa continues to shed light on life of the Ethiopian people in a country trying to change damaging societal norms. Police confirmed the arrest of Oromia-native Fita Bayisa after he shot his wife over an alleged battle over property. However, as disturbing details of the years of domestic abuse in the family was revealed, Bayisa reportedly collapsed into tears over the tragedy.
According to JT sources, Bayisa, who won a medal for Ethiopia in the 5,000m at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, had a long history of violence, not only towards his wife but also toward his five children. Spending nights outside and returning home drunk, he would sometimes reportedly beat his wife and his two older children, incidents that had deep psychological impact on the whole family. The abusive husband’s repeated assault forced his wife to seek medical threatment, though she hid the cause of her injuries, which included substantial bruises on her back and bleeding at her eyes.
But the extent of the 36-year-old Bayisa’s violent behavior was not limited to actions inside his home. According to a statement by his wife to local journalists, Bayisa threatened her relatives when she sometimes leave home to seek protection. In one case, Bayisa, who allegedly had extramarital affairs, once threatened to bomb his wife and children. The impact of these and other problems caused Bayisa’s oldest child to nearly commit suicide with poison.
The latest part of this saga then began when Bayisa’s wife, with the support of a family member, finally decided to file for divorce. But her actions triggered Bayisa’s most violent attack, as he shot his wife three times.
Though too late, Bayisa this week expressed deep regret for what he has done to his family. The tearful Bayisa admitted his condition is “hopeless.” Saying it was “too late” to salvage his life and family, he offered all his financial resources for his children and to cover the medical costs for his wife, who is in a stable condition in a hospital.
Despite some efforts, education to reduce social problems like domestic violence is limited in Ethiopia and most women are not fully aware of their rights under the law. The Bayisa saga revealed new holes in the system in Ethiopia, where people expect the police to interfere but Bayisa was instead able to shoot his wife while she was in a police station.
Marital rape is also widely ignored in the country and a very small percentage of rape convictions are made by courts compared to the number of reports by rape victims. Women are often physically abused in Ethiopia, particularly in the rural, and abduction of girls as a form of marriage is widely practiced in the southern SNNPR and Oromia regions.
Observers say the government needs to improve information technology infrastructure and focus on prevention instead of just punishment for domestic violence.
According to inside sources, Bayisa had allegedly given a new house previously to another woman from his extramarital affair. Local newspapers also quoted his wife saying “I sacrificed everything” to make their relationship work, including giving up a promising running career for temporary jobs to take care of Bayisa before he gained fame during the Olympics.
Dear admin,
any reason why my Comment is not being posted? Nothing offensive in the article but numerious comment i wrote is not being published and i am wondering why