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March 8th is celebrated globally as International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It is also a day to recognize the challenges women face and to call for action towards gender equality. This year, we recognize Filsan Abdi, a courageous woman who stood up for the rights of women and children in Ethiopia, as our Women of March 8.
Filsan Abdi is a young Ethiopian-Somali politician who made history as the first Somali Ethiopian to be appointed as a minister in the Ethiopian government at the age of 28. She served as the Minister for Women, Children, and Youth until she resigned in protest over the government’s handling of the Tigray conflict.
The Tigray conflict was ongoing since November 2020 before a peace deal was reached recently. Civilians, particularly women and children, have suffered greatly due to the war crimes committed by all sides involved in the conflict. Filsan Abdi took a bold step by resigning from her position as a minister because of the government’s failure to hold perpetrators of war crimes accountable.
In a recent report by the UN international commission of human rights experts on Ethiopia, atrocities by all sides were exposed, including the widespread rape of women and girls. Filsan Abdi spoke out against the government’s attempt to cover up these crimes and demanded justice for the victims.
Filsan Abdi’s resignation in protest is significant because she was the only senior official to do so over the conflict. Her courage and determination to stand up for what is right and to demand accountability and justice for women and children affected by the conflict are truly remarkable.
On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate Filsan Abdi’s resilience and dedication to advocating for women’s rights. She is an inspiration to all women and a reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right, even when it is not easy.
We call on the international community and all parties involved in the conflicts in Ethiopia to listen to the voices of women like Filsan Abdi and to take action to protect women and children from the devastating effects of war. .
Let us continue to celebrate and recognize the achievements of women like Filsan Abdi, who are making a difference in their communities and paving the way for a more just and equal world for all.
