Excellences, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I have fond memories of my earlier visits, in 2011 and 2015, to your beautiful and inspiring country.  And I’m touched to be once again received with such a warm and generous hospitality.  

Being here, I have had the opportunity to see the strong commitment to growth and development. And there is a lot of positive development happening, despite the challenges that are facing your country and the region.  And many of these challenges are also global challenges, challenges that the nations of the world must stand together to address. 

The achievement of greater gender equality is essential for sustainable and inclusive growth and development. This cannot be achieved if half of the world’s population is denied equal access to quality education, health services and information, economic and political participation and this is, of course, also true regarding equal opportunities for employment, leadership and decision-making at all levels.

The importance of gender equality is clear, it is also recognised that to achieve all the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, it is essential that gender equality, SDG5 is achieved. 

Ethiopia has committed to an ambitious gender equality agenda. And your country, is leading by example with the appointment of Ethiopia’s first female president. Her Excellency, Zahle-Work Zewde, is indeed an inspiration and an obvious role model for girls and women around the world. By being where she is today, she shows that it is achievable, that it has been achieved, that - a woman can lead from the highest level. I am certain that her powerful voice will contribute to accelerating progress toward SDG5 and the entire global development agenda, not only in Ethiopia but in the region and beyond.

Today, I had the opportunity to meet and speak with other female Ethiopian role models, leaders within their fields of expertise and within society. 

We all look to others to be inspired and moved, we look up to strong leaders who speak to us, people who are role models because they show us that something is possible.  That our ambitions can be our reality. That we can reach that position, we dream of.  And today I have been inspired – not least by the young female entrepreneurs and innovators, I met earlier today. [Evt. reference til   nogle af dem, Kronprinsessen har mødt]
 
Working to ensure gender parity in government is a strong signal that women in leadership is taken seriously in Ethiopia. It is positive to see that defining ministries like Defense, Peace, Trade and Industry and Revenue are led by women.  

Ethiopia has progressive laws for gender equality, the challenge is making these laws a reality. Gender equality must filter through society – at home, in the school and at the workplace. From political participation all the way to equal access to health services – including sexual and reproductive health and rights. 

It takes bold policies and a zero-tolerance towards gender stereotypes, violence against women and girls and against marginalization. Women and girls must not be prevented from realizing their full potential and contributing to the aspirations of their country.

Ethiopia is moving this agenda forward and serves as an inspiration for other countries. We must join together in continuing our work to ensure that girls and women – no matter who they are, what they have, or where they live - have the power and choice to define their own destinies.  

Thank you for listening.