19.12. - 2 - Speech of The Day - 25th anniversary of the Ethiopian Women`s Welfare Association

On Saturday, December 19, 1959, on the occa-

sion of the 25th anniversary of the Ethiopian

Women's Welfare Association at Janhoy Meda

His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I offi-

cially opened the festival. Below is His Imperial

Majesty's speech:

 

"We are happy to witness that the Women's Welfare

Association has reached this important event of cele-

brating its 25th Anniversary.

         This Association has, since its creation during the

war, rendered many social services.

This is not the first time that Ethiopian women have

served their country and their Emperor side by side with

their menfolk, as history can vouchsafe this well-known

fact.

We are satisfied with the ability that Ethiopian

women have shown in Our new educational progress.

Not only is it Our desire that, in the future, women should

not have less chance than men but it is also Our intention

to encourage them to make equal contributions by

participating with their menfolk in the various projects

for the development of their country,

It is Our hope that this Women's Association, es-

tablished under the patronage and guidance of Her

Majesty the Empress will continue to prosper and in-

crease the number of its followers by inspiring them

with its good example. We will not fail to mention

on this occasion the late Princess Tsahai and Lady

Barton who had dedicated their efforts for the founding

of the Association. Nothing gives Us greater happiness

than having founded development programmes  and

seeing that men and women are now equally benefitting

from the projects which we initiated for all Ethiopia,"

Speeches delivered by His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie Ist Emperor of Ethiopia on various occasions - page 183 -