One of the reform initiatives following the 2018 protest-induced political change in Ethiopia was the introduction of a gender parity cabinet and the appointment of women to some of the highest offices, including the presidency. This article asks: does this reform reflect an “autocratic genderwashing”? How has its implementation evolved, especially amid conflict, and what are its broader implications for gender equality? Based on interviews with key informants and an online public survey, our results caution against viewing autocratic genderwashing solely as pejorative, highlight the importance of legal requirements for gender parity in appointed positions, and underscore the need for democratic dispensation, particularly considering the significant challenges women in politics face in non-democratic settings.