When he took over as Prime Minister earlier this year, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed made a pledge that he would ensure women were more involved in running the country. He’s made good on that promise, appointing women to half of the cabinet as well as to top posts such as the presidency and chief justice. Yohannes Gedamu explains the significance.

A women’s conference held in Beijing in 1995 was a turning point for the women’s movement. It had 17,000 delegates from around the world and created a concrete action plan to further women’s rights. Similar international gatherings have not happened for the elimination of racism. Mustafa Ozbilgin argues that this is one of the reasons there’s still a long road ahead before the world witnesses true racial equality.