Azeb Mesfin

Azeb Mesfin

Azeb Mesfin is an Ethiopian women's right activist, businesswoman, member of parliament, and political spouse. She is also the vice President of Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA). [ [http://www.ghanatoday.com/index.php?option=news&task=viewarticle&sid=22190 Azeb Mesfin Vice President of OAFLA] ]

Azeb is the wife of Ethiopian prime minister Meles Zenawi and the mother of three children, Semhal, Marda and Senay Meles. She was elected in 2005 to the House of Peoples Representatives (the lower House of the Ethiopian Parliament) representing her home district Wolkait, and serves as chair of its Social Affairs Standing Committee. She has also been deeply involved in bringing nationwide HIV awareness and advocating for more education. Prior to entering the legislature, she was active as Ethiopia's "de facto" first lady in a range of public activities, including the country's fight against HIV/AIDS.

Her role has at times been controversial, with some members of Ethiopia's diaspora alleging that, during the period in which she was an executive at the parastatal Mega Corporation, she was involved in "the impropriety of mingling public, private and party-owned businesses." [Gelaw, Abebe, " [http://www.ethiomedia.com/courier/queen_of_mega.html The 'Queen of Mega' in Parliament] ," Ethiomedia, January 24, 2006. Retrieved September 30, 2006.] However she is also known for her aggressive work to teach rural Ethiopians about the issues of HIV and advocating for more women's rights. In January 2007, she was given the "Legacy of a Dream" award for her leadership and during an awards ceremony commemorating the life of the famous civil rights activist and leader Dr. Martin Luther King. [ [http://explore.georgetown.edu/news/?ID=21880 Azeb Mesfin given Martin Luther King memorial award] ]

Her appearance at a special ceremony to honor the First Ladies of Africa for their efforts against the spread of HIV/AIDS held by Georgetown University of Washington DC on January 15, 2007 was met by protests of exiled Ethiopians. ." [Mays, Kate, " [http://www.ethiomedia.com/addfile/group_disrupts_mlk_commemoration.html Group Objects to University Giving Award to 'First Lady', Protests Disrupt MLK Jr Commemoration] ," Ethiomedia, January 18, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2007.] The University was awarding it's “John Thompson Legacy of a Dream Award” to the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS for its leadership and service toward the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Azeb Mesfin was to accept the award on behalf of the organization along with the first ladies of Zambia and Rwanda.She started the organization "Ethiopian Coalition of Women against HIV/AIDS" and continues to work closely with community leaders to ensure the rights of women,fight harmful traditional practices and HIV/AIDS. [ [http://allafrica.com/stories/200701221034.html Ethiopian Coalition of Women against HIV] ] She said the award she received is not just for her organization but for the entire Ethiopian women declaring "the award is the result of the relentless struggle waged by Ethiopian women." [ [http://www.waltainfo.com/EnNews/2007/Jan/23Jan07/23555.htm Azeb declares award is for all Ethiopian women] ]

References

External links

" [http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=44444&SelectRegion=Horn_of_Africa&SelectCountry=ETHIOPIA ETHIOPIA: Prime minister's wife takes public HIV test] ," IRIN News, December 1, 2004. Retrieved September 30, 2006.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Meles Zenawi — መለስ ዜናዊ Prime Minister of Ethiopia Incumbent Assumed office 23 August …   Wikipedia

  • Liste des membres du Conseil des Représentants des Peuples (Éthiopie) — Éthiopie Cet article fait partie de la série sur la politique de l Éthiopie, sous série sur la politique …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Tigrayan People's Liberation Front — Tigray People s Liberation Front Ge ez: ሕዝባዊ ወያኔ ሓርነት ትግራይ Tigrinya: ḥizbāwī weyānē ḥārinet tigrāy Chairman Meles Zenawi Founded …   Wikipedia

  • Circonscription de Humera — La circonscription de Humera est une des 38 circonscriptions législativesde l État fédéré du Tigré, elle se situe dans la Zone ouest. Son représentant actuel est Azeb Mesfin Haile. Voir aussi Liste des circonscriptions législatives éthiopiennes… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Mélès Zénawi — Meles Zenawi መለስ ዜናዊ Meles Zenawi 10e Premier ministre de l’Éthiopie …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Мелес Зенауи — (Meles Zenawi) родился 8 мая 1955 года в городе Адува на севере Эфиопии. В 1972 году окончил среднюю школу в Аддис Абебе и поступил на медицинский факультет Университета Аддис Абебы, на котором проучился два года. В 1995 году получил степень… …   Энциклопедия ньюсмейкеров

  • P'ent'ay — Pentay ECFE Classification Protestant Orientation Evangelical Polity Congregationalist Geographical areas Ethiopia, United States, Norway, Kenya, Eritrea, Canada …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”