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Ethiopia Appoints A Woman As Supreme Court President

Meaza Ashenafi was unanimously endorsed by Ethiopia's parliament.

Ethiopia Appoints A Woman As Supreme Court President
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Ethiopia made history Thursday when it swore in the first woman president of its Supreme Court.

Human rights lawyer Meaza Ashenafi was nominated for the role by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and unanimously endorsed by the country's parliament.

Meaza has been a prominent human rights figure in Ethiopia. She founded the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association and, as CNN reports, served as an adviser on gender and women's rights for the U.N. Economic Commission for Africa.

Abiy's top aide says Meaza "brings a track record of competence and relevant experience to the role."

The prime minister has made a major push for gender equity in government since taking office in April.

Just last week, Ethiopia elected Sahle-Work Zewde as its first woman president.

And days before that, Abiy appointed women to exactly half the roles in his Cabinet.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN