Ethiopian women legislators on Monday held talks with visiting members of the U.S. Congress over women's rights.

During their talks, Shitaye Minale, deputy speaker of the lower House of People's Representatives, said the government of Ethiopia has given due attention to the protection of women's rights.

Shitaye said harmful traditional practices, lack of family planning and the objective conditions of the country are impeding the empowerment of women.

She said the government is trying to address these problems through the provision of education and public mobilization.

The deputy speaker said the amended penal code and the family law have incorporated relevant provisions to address the problems of harmful traditional practices, such as female genital cutting, abduction, arranged marriage as well as rape.

The provisions are not the only guarantee that can empower women, Shitaye said, adding that these laws should be supported by fundamental behavioral changes among communities that practice these social evils.

She said the government has been undertaking various activities to mobilize local governments and the public at large to fight these harmful traditional practices.

Some 170 women MPs are participating in the 547-seat lower house of parliament, she said.

This has been realized owing to the commitment of the ruling party that reserved 30 percent of the parliamentary seats at the federal level, and 50 percent at the regional level to encourage women to participate in the national politics, according to Shitaye.

She added that various local NGOs and international organizations are working to promote girls' education and to eradicate harmful traditional practices.

For his part, U.S. Congressman Robert C. Gustafson said the performance of the Ethiopian government on women's affairs is inspiring.

Gustafson said the U.S. delegation is particularly concerned about early marriage, and added that the delegation would report to the U.S. government to help the efforts being made by the government of Ethiopia.

He said the principal aim of the delegation is to assess the situation of early marriage in the country and report to the U.S. Senate in order to facilitate ways in which the U.S. government could provide assistance.

Gustafson and his delegation is in Ethiopia for a working visit.

Source: Xinhua