Comment: Proposed Amendments to the Federal Civil Servants Proclamation No. 1064/2017 from Gender and Child Rights Perspective

Abstract

The amendment of the Federal Civil Servants Proclamation No.1064/2017 is a good opportunity to address gender equity-related matters between civil service employees. The amendment is expected to contribute to maternal and child health issues through adequate maternity/paternity leave, to keeping workforce safety through mitigating workplace gender-based violence (GBV) in the required manner and towards ensuring that affirmative measure privileges of women are applicable throughout the employment, promotion, and capacity building processes and procedures. Limitations in the Ethiopian Federal Civil Servants Proclamation No.1064/2017 in relation to the duration and the type of maternity/paternity leave during birth and miscarriage of pregnancy, and with regard to adoptive parents/guardians are addressed in this comment. Moreover, the application of childcare facility in public institutions, addressing workplace GBV (gender-based violence) in an inclusive manner, ensuring employment, on-the-job trainings and educational opportunities in public institutions are aligned with affirmative measures (that women are entitled to) are addressed. Thus, bridging these gaps in the process of amending the Proclamation is believed to result in gender and child rights inclusive public serving space.