Ethiopia Advances Women’s Leadership in Land and Climate Governance

Bishoftu, Ethiopia | June 21, 2025  

With support from the Strengthening Land Governance in Africa (SLGA) and Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Government of Ethiopia convened National Dialogue on Gender, Land, and Climate Resilience from 20–21 June 2025.

The two-day dialogue brought together women parliamentarians, policymakers, civil society, and technical experts to develop actionable strategies for gender-responsive land governance and climate action.

With opening remarks from IGAD’s Head of Mission to Ethiopia, Mr. Abebaw Bihonegn (on behalf of H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu), the event reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment to aligning national efforts with global and regional frameworks such as the SDGs and AU Agenda 2063. Speakers from Ethiopia’s Parliament, Ministry of Agriculture, and GIZ echoed the country’s drive to embed equity and resilience in land and climate policies.

Participants tackled challenges such as discriminatory land laws, limited women’s participation, and weak institutional coordination. They proposed stronger legal protections, increased funding, and inclusive planning to unlock women’s leadership in climate-smart land reform.

The event outcomes including a national policy brief will feed into IGAD’s Regional Dialogue in July.