Ethiopia’s new Cabinet is now a record 50 percent female, including the country’s first woman defense minister, after lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously approved the nominations put forward by reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. “Our women ministers will disprove the old adage that women can’t lead,” Abiy said while presenting his choices. This 20-member Cabinet, trimmed from 28 posts, is the second named since Abiy took office in April. Several African nations have had female defense ministers including South Africa, Central African Republic, Kenya and Guinea-Bissau. And Rwanda has received international recognition for female representation in government, with women making up 43 percent of its Cabinet and 61 percent of Parliament members.

Source: Ethiopian News October 16, 2018 13:07 UTC