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{{short description|Ethiopian lawyer and judge (born 1964)}}
{{COI|date=October 2019}} {{COI|date=October 2019}}
{{Patronymic name|Meaza|Ashenafi|her|father}}{{Infobox officeholder {{Patronymic name|Meaza|Ashenafi|her|father}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Meaza Ashenafi (መዓዛ አሸናፊ) <br> | name = Meaza Ashenafi
| image = Meaza Ashenafi.jpg | native_name = መዓዛ አሸናፊ
| image = Meaza Ashenafi in 2018.jpg
| office = President of the ] | office = ]
⚫ | term_start = 1 November 2018
| deputy = ] | primeminister = ]
| predecessor = ] | president = ]
⚫ | term_start = 1 November 2018
⚫ | office1 = Judge Federal High Court of Ethiopia
| term_end = 17 January 2023
| term_start1 = 1989
| deputy = ]
| term_end1 = 1992
| predecessor = ]
⚫ | office2 = Legal Adviser ]
| successor = ]
⚫ | office3 = Founding Executive Director Ethiopian Women Lawyer's Association (EWLA)
⚫ | office1 = Judge of ]
⚫ | term_start3 = 1996
| term_end3 = 2005 | term_start1 = 1989
| office4 = Founder and Chair Enat Bank | term_end1 = 1992
⚫ | office2 = Legal Adviser ]
| term_start4 = 2013
⚫ | office3 = Founding Executive Director Ethiopian Women Lawyer's Association (EWLA)
⚫ | term_end4 = 2017
⚫ | term_start3 = 1996
⚫ | office5 = Adviser on Gender and Women's Rights ]
| term_end3 = 2005
| term_start5 = 2012
| office4 = Founder and Chairperson of ]
⚫ | term_end5 = 2018
| birth_date = 1964 | term_start4 = 2013
⚫ | term_end4 = 2017
⚫ | birth_place = ], ], ]
⚫ | office5 = Adviser on Gender and Women's Rights ]
| education = ] {{small|(])}}<br/>] {{small|(])}}
| country = Ethiopia | term_start5 = 2012
⚫ | term_end5 = 2018
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1964|07|25|df=y}}
⚫ | birth_place = ], ], ] (now ], ])
| education = ] (]) <br />] (])
| spouse = Araya Asfaw
| occupation = {{plainlist|
*]
*]}}
| children = 2
| caption = Meaza in 2018
}} }}
'''Meaza Ashenafi''' (born 1964 in ], ]) is an Ethiopian ]. Described as a "prominent women's rights activist",{{sfn|Woldeyes|2014|p=48}} she is the founder and executive director of the ] (EWLA). In November 2018, she was appointed by the ] as President of the ].<ref>Paul Schemm (November 1, 2018), '']''.</ref> '''Meaza Ashenafi''' (born 25 July 1964)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.africanwomeninlaw.com/african-women-in-law/Meaza-Ashenafi|title=Pioneer African Women in Law}}</ref> is an Ethiopian ]. In November 2018, she was appointed by the ] as President of the ] until her resignation on 17 January 2023.<ref name="washingtonpost.com">Paul Schemm (November 1, 2018), '']''.</ref>

==Personal life and education ==
{{BLP unsourced section|date=December 2020}}
Meaza was born in ], ]. She attended both elementary and high school in ] and join Addis Ababa University Law department. She received a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from ] and Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in international relations and gender studies from the ]. She is married to Dr. Araya Asfaw, ] of Physics at Addis Ababa University, and they have two daughters together.


==Career== ==Career==
Meaza served as a Judge of the ] between 1989 and 1992.<ref>Paul Schemm (November 1, 2018), '']''.</ref> ]In 1993 she was appointed by the Ethiopian Constitution Commission as a legal adviser.<ref name="Vieceli2005">{{cite book|last=Vieceli|first=Alberto|title=1000 Peacewomen Across the Globe|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kIQnAQAAMAAJ|year=2005|publisher=Scalo|isbn=978-3-03939-039-7|page=494}}</ref> In 1995,<ref name="Vieceli2005"/> Meaza founded the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA), and became its executive director.<ref name="irinnews.org"/> Through her legal contacts, she has been instrumental in campaigning for women's rights in Ethiopia; her Fighting For Women's Rights In Ethiopia group had approximately 45 graduate lawyers working for it in 2002.<ref name="BareguTrust2002">{{cite book|last=Baregu|first=Mwesiga Laurent|title=Peace-building in the Great Lakes Region|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZTMXAQAAIAAJ|year=2002|publisher=SAPES Books|isbn=978-1-77905-120-2|page=30}}</ref> Meaza served as a Judge of the ] between 1989 and 1992.<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/> In 1993 she was appointed by the Ethiopian Constitution Commission as a legal adviser.<ref name="Vieceli2005">{{cite book|last=Vieceli|first=Alberto|title=1000 Peacewomen Across the Globe|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kIQnAQAAMAAJ|year=2005|publisher=Scalo|isbn=978-3-03939-039-7|page=494}}</ref> In 1995,<ref name="Vieceli2005"/> Meaza founded the ] (EWLA) with ] and ], she would become its executive director.<ref name="irinnews.org"/> Through her legal contacts, she has been instrumental in campaigning for women's rights in Ethiopia; her Fighting For Women's Rights In Ethiopia group had approximately 45 graduate lawyers working for it in 2002.<ref name="BareguTrust2002">{{cite book|last=Baregu|first=Mwesiga Laurent|title=Peace-building in the Great Lakes Region|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZTMXAQAAIAAJ|year=2002|publisher=SAPES Books|isbn=978-1-77905-120-2|page=30}}</ref>


Meaza has held a position with the ]. She helped lead the development of the first women's bank in Ethiopia, ], which was established in 2011 and as of 2016 chairs its board of directors.<ref name=Makers>{{cite web |url=http://www.makers.com/blog/human-rights-lawyer-meaza-ashenafi-interview |title=Exclusive Q&A With Human Rights Lawyer Meaza Ashenafi |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2016 |website= |publisher=Makers |access-date=February 4, 2016 |quote=}}</ref> Meaza has held a position with the ]. She played a part in the development of the first women's bank in Ethiopia, ], which was established in 2011; as of 2016, she was chairing its board of directors.<ref name=Makers>{{cite web |url=http://www.makers.com/blog/human-rights-lawyer-meaza-ashenafi-interview |title=Exclusive Q&A With Human Rights Lawyer Meaza Ashenafi |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2016 |website= |publisher=Makers |access-date=February 4, 2016 |quote=}}</ref> On 1 November 2018, Meaza appointed unanimously by HoPR as the President of the Supreme Court, being the first woman in the cabinet of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=First woman chief justice sworn in for Ethiopia {{!}} African Legal Information Institute |url=https://africanlii.org/article/20181101/first-woman-chief-justice-sworn-ethiopia |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=africanlii.org}}</ref> After serving four years, she resigned that position with vice president Solomon Areda on 17 January 2023. The Ethiopian parliament appointed Tewdros Mihret as the president and Abeba Embiale as deputy president of the Supreme Court on behalf of Meaza and Solomon respectively.<ref>{{cite web |last=AfricaNews |date=2023-01-17|title=Head of Ethiopia's Supreme Court resigns |url=https://www.africanews.com/2023/01/17/head-of-ethiopias-supreme-court-resigns/ |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=Africanews |language=en}}</ref>


==Political positions== ==Political positions==
In a 2009 speech Meaza was outspoken on the stereotypes that women face in Ethiopian society, blaming ] proverbs for the way women are perceived, portraying them mostly as delicate and weak.{{sfn|Woldeyes|2014|p=48}} The communications tradition over time has used these proverbs to advance men and degrade women.{{sfn|Woldeyes|2014|p=48}} Some of the ideas given by these proverbs are that a woman’s place is only in domestic duties and that women in general lack common sense and are irresponsible.{{sfn|Woldeyes|2014|p=48}} In a 2009 speech Meaza was outspoken on the stereotypes that women face in Ethiopian society, making mention of ] proverbs for the way women are perceived, portraying them mostly as delicate and weak.{{sfn|Woldeyes|2014|p=48}} The communications tradition over time has used these proverbs to advance men and degrade women.{{sfn|Woldeyes|2014|p=48}} Some of the ideas given by these proverbs are that a woman's place is only in domestic duties and that women in general lack common sense and are irresponsible.{{sfn|Woldeyes|2014|pp=48–49}}

One of these Amharic proverbs that Meaza is alluding to says that a woman can not to be trusted and another conveys the idea that the companionship of a woman is dispersed by a mouse. Another proverb indicates that even if a woman is smart, only a man can be practical to apply knowledge – hinting at gender based roles in urban Ethiopian society, especially in ]. Still another of the proverbs she alludes to is of emotional characteristics where the proverb speaks of the courage of a woman as about as useless as a shy priest or a blind donkey.{{sfn|Woldeyes|2014|p=49}}


==Recognition== ==Recognition==
Meaza has received numerous awards for philanthropy and leadership, including the African Leadership Prize; and is an active member of several women’s rights advocacy organizations. In 2003, she became a ] laureate,<ref name="irinnews.org">{{cite news|title=ETHIOPIA: Interview with Meaza Ashenafi, head of women lawyers association|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/47120/ethiopia-interview-with-meaza-ashenafi-head-of-women-lawyers-association|accessdate=3 February 2016|publisher=IRIN|date=7 November 2003}}</ref> winning the Grassroots Ethiopian Women of Substance Africa Prize,<ref>{{cite book|title=Tadias: Ethiopian-American Lifestyle and Business Magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9f0qAQAAIAAJ|year=2003|publisher=Tadias, Incorporated|page=5}}</ref> Two years later, she was nominated for the ].<ref name="ethioscoop.com">{{citenews|title=Meaza Ashenafi Mengistu |first=Nassir|last=Mohammed|url=http://www.ethioscoop.com/biography/3511-meaza-ashenafi-mengistu.html|accessdate=3 February 2016|work=Ethioscoop Review Magazine|date=15 August 2013}}</ref> Her most famous case was turned into the 2014 Ethiopian film '']'', which was promoted by ] as executive producer and went on to win the ] at the 2014 ].<ref>Paul Schemm (November 1, 2018), '']''.</ref> In 2003, Meaza became a ] laureate,<ref name="irinnews.org">{{cite news|title=ETHIOPIA: Interview with Meaza Ashenafi, head of women lawyers association|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/47120/ethiopia-interview-with-meaza-ashenafi-head-of-women-lawyers-association|access-date=3 February 2016|publisher=IRIN|date=7 November 2003}}</ref> winning the Grassroots Ethiopian Women of Substance Africa Prize,<ref>{{cite book|title=Tadias: Ethiopian-American Lifestyle and Business Magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9f0qAQAAIAAJ|year=2003|publisher=Tadias, Incorporated|page=5}}</ref> Two years later, she was nominated for the ].<ref name="ethioscoop.com">{{cite news|title=Meaza Ashenafi Mengistu|first=Nassir|last=Mohammed|url=http://www.ethioscoop.com/biography/3511-meaza-ashenafi-mengistu.html|access-date=3 February 2016|work=Ethioscoop Review Magazine|date=15 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091154/http://www.ethioscoop.com/biography/3511-meaza-ashenafi-mengistu.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Her most famous case was turned into the 2014 Ethiopian film '']'', which was promoted by ] as executive producer and went on to win the ] at the 2014 ].<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/>


== See also == == See also ==
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==References== ==References==
{{reflist|30em}} {{reflist}}


== Sources == == Sources ==
*{{cite book|ref=harv|last=Woldeyes|first=Billene Seyoum |title=Transformative Spaces: Enabling Authentic Female Leadership Through Self Transformation – the Association of Women in Business|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oQSdAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA48|year=2014|publisher=LIT Verlag Münster|isbn=978-3-643-90502-4}} *{{cite book|last=Woldeyes|first=Billene Seyoum |title=Transformative Spaces: Enabling Authentic Female Leadership Through Self Transformation – the Association of Women in Business|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oQSdAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA48|year=2014|publisher=LIT Verlag Münster|isbn=978-3-643-90502-4}}


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Latest revision as of 17:44, 20 November 2024

Ethiopian lawyer and judge (born 1964)
A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. It may require cleanup to comply with Misplaced Pages's content policies, particularly neutral point of view. Please discuss further on the talk page. (October 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
This article is about a person whose name includes a patronymic. The article properly refers to the person by her given name, Meaza, and not as Ashenafi.
Meaza Ashenafi
መዓዛ አሸናፊ
Meaza in 2018
President of the Federal Supreme Court
In office
1 November 2018 – 17 January 2023
PresidentSahle-Work Zewde
Prime MinisterAbiy Ahmed
DeputySolomon Areda
Preceded byDagne Melaku
Succeeded byTewodros Mihret
Judge of Federal High Court of Ethiopia
In office
1989–1992
Legal Adviser Committee on 1995 Ethiopian Constitution
Founding Executive Director Ethiopian Women Lawyer's Association (EWLA)
In office
1996–2005
Founder and Chairperson of Enat Bank
In office
2013–2017
Adviser on Gender and Women's Rights United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
In office
2012–2018
Personal details
Born (1964-07-25) 25 July 1964 (age 60)
Asosa, Gojjam Province, Ethiopian Empire (now Benishangul-Gumuz Region, Ethiopia)
SpouseAraya Asfaw
Children2
EducationUniversity of Connecticut (MA)
Addis Ababa University (LLB)
Occupation

Meaza Ashenafi (born 25 July 1964) is an Ethiopian lawyer. In November 2018, she was appointed by the Federal Parliamentary Assembly as President of the Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia until her resignation on 17 January 2023.

Personal life and education

This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living people that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately.
Find sources: "Meaza Ashenafi" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Meaza was born in Asosa, Ethiopia. She attended both elementary and high school in Asosa and join Addis Ababa University Law department. She received a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Addis Ababa University and Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in international relations and gender studies from the University of Connecticut. She is married to Dr. Araya Asfaw, Professor of Physics at Addis Ababa University, and they have two daughters together.

Career

Meaza served as a Judge of the Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia between 1989 and 1992. In 1993 she was appointed by the Ethiopian Constitution Commission as a legal adviser. In 1995, Meaza founded the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA) with Atsedeweine Tekle and Maria Yusuf, she would become its executive director. Through her legal contacts, she has been instrumental in campaigning for women's rights in Ethiopia; her Fighting For Women's Rights In Ethiopia group had approximately 45 graduate lawyers working for it in 2002.

Meaza has held a position with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. She played a part in the development of the first women's bank in Ethiopia, Enat Bank, which was established in 2011; as of 2016, she was chairing its board of directors. On 1 November 2018, Meaza appointed unanimously by HoPR as the President of the Supreme Court, being the first woman in the cabinet of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. After serving four years, she resigned that position with vice president Solomon Areda on 17 January 2023. The Ethiopian parliament appointed Tewdros Mihret as the president and Abeba Embiale as deputy president of the Supreme Court on behalf of Meaza and Solomon respectively.

Political positions

In a 2009 speech Meaza was outspoken on the stereotypes that women face in Ethiopian society, making mention of Amharic proverbs for the way women are perceived, portraying them mostly as delicate and weak. The communications tradition over time has used these proverbs to advance men and degrade women. Some of the ideas given by these proverbs are that a woman's place is only in domestic duties and that women in general lack common sense and are irresponsible.

Recognition

In 2003, Meaza became a Hunger Project Award laureate, winning the Grassroots Ethiopian Women of Substance Africa Prize, Two years later, she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Her most famous case was turned into the 2014 Ethiopian film Difret, which was promoted by Angelina Jolie as executive producer and went on to win the World Cinematic Dramatic Audience Award at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.

See also

References

  1. "Pioneer African Women in Law".
  2. ^ Paul Schemm (November 1, 2018), Women’s rights activist named to head Ethiopia’s Supreme Court Washington Post.
  3. ^ Vieceli, Alberto (2005). 1000 Peacewomen Across the Globe. Scalo. p. 494. ISBN 978-3-03939-039-7.
  4. ^ "ETHIOPIA: Interview with Meaza Ashenafi, head of women lawyers association". IRIN. 7 November 2003. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  5. Baregu, Mwesiga Laurent (2002). Peace-building in the Great Lakes Region. SAPES Books. p. 30. ISBN 978-1-77905-120-2.
  6. "Exclusive Q&A With Human Rights Lawyer Meaza Ashenafi". Makers. 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  7. "First woman chief justice sworn in for Ethiopia | African Legal Information Institute". africanlii.org. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  8. AfricaNews (2023-01-17). "Head of Ethiopia's Supreme Court resigns". Africanews. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  9. ^ Woldeyes 2014, p. 48.
  10. Woldeyes 2014, pp. 48–49.
  11. Tadias: Ethiopian-American Lifestyle and Business Magazine. Tadias, Incorporated. 2003. p. 5.
  12. Mohammed, Nassir (15 August 2013). "Meaza Ashenafi Mengistu". Ethioscoop Review Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2016.

Sources

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