In her remarks at the launching event, the Minister of Women and Social Affairs, Ergogie Tesfaye (PhD), stated that the research is undertaken through a mixed method of quantitate survey that involved more than 36,000 households and qualitative data involving diverse women groups in different regions.

Ambassador-Designate of the EU to Ethiopia, Sofie From-Emmesberger, appreciated the study as a significant step towards improving livelihoods of girls and women. She added that the findings would help strengthen endeavours to improve the lives of girls and women with funding and advocacy.

The Ambassador-Designate underscored the importance of the research in supporting efforts to realize gender equality, growth, prosperity, good governance, peace and security, all of which represent core values of the EU; calling all stakeholders to contribute their part for the success of the implementation.

The study aimed to generate a comprehensive report that can inform policy and programing initiatives that address dimensions essential to women’s well- being and development. Having such evidence-based programming at national and different levels is believed to contribute extensively to women’s empowerment in the social, economic and political spheres.

Executive Director of NEWA, Ms. Saba Gebremedihin, explained that the research project on “Determining the Ethiopian Women’s Status and Priorities” has been undertaken with the objective to gather evidence on the status, priorities and needs of women across multiple dimensions, such as education, socio-economic situation, health, psychological well-being, political participation, peace and security and justice for a better future.