MARCH 8/2007

 END THE VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN

On the occasion of International Women's Day, SOCEPP joins the call for thr respect of the rights of women of the world and specially demands that the violation of the rights of Ethiopian women be ended.

 In all fields, Ethiopian women have little or no rights under the current regime of Meles Zenawi. While lip service is paid to theri rights, women in actual fact remain subjugated, in a second class citizen status, without any legal protection. Forced marriages, child brides, mutilation, rape, unequal pay and discrimination at the work place, sale of children through adoption cover, sale of young women unto modern slavery in the Middle East, exposure to AIDS, child prostitution and more define the reality of Ethiopian women. In the rural areas the condition of women remains unchanged and as in the early fifties. In the general situation of repression and unbridled dictatorship, the lot of women has worsened with the present fundmentalist extremes on the religious plane further aggaravating their suffering. Female children and young women are the ones forced to bear the huge share of the ongoing oppression and denial of rights.

 SOCEPP calls for an end to the violation of the rights of women so that Ethiopian women can take their rightful place in the society (in which they are the majority in numbers) and contribute to the development of the country. SOCEPP demands an immediate end to the illegal practice of selling children to foreigners and of sending young women to modern slavery in the Middle East. The gaols and prisons (known and secret) of the regime hold very many women political prisoners and they should all be released while account must be made on what happened to political prisoners like Aberash Berta.

Respect the rights of Ethiopian Women!!

SOCEPP