Ethiopia elects its first female president; ‘sets the standard’

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Ethiopian lawmakers unanimously elected the country’s first female president on Thursday, days after approving one of the world’s few “gender-balanced” Cabinets as the country’s dramatic reforms continue.

As seasoned diplomat Sahle-Work Zewde assumed the largely ceremonial post, many celebrated Africa’s only female head of state. Africa’s first female president, Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, left office this year.

“In a patriarchal society such as ours, the appointment of a female head of state not only sets the standard for the future but also normalizes women as decision-makers in public life,” the chief of staff for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Twitter.

Lawmakers last week approved a Cabinet with women making up 50 percent of ministers.