To revive a dying tradition

I recently met Zertihun Tefera who is the founder and director of a women’s development association in Ethiopia that has organized up to 10,000 women as self-help groups and supported their micro-enterprise…

Breaking the Chains of Oppression by Women

“Together we stand, divided we fall” So you’re a feminist woman or you’re not. But you care about ” women’s rights, equality and empowerment”. Yet have you looked into your thoughts, words…

Silence is Not Approval

March 13, 2011 marked the 8th annual WOMEN FIRST 5km race, which is the second largest running event organized by the Great Ethiopian Run. It was my first time running this race…

Spirit Unshackled

My eyes are mine I can close them and in their silence bear witness to all that will become divine In between eyelash flutters Form the twinkle of desires Embraced in the…

I Carry Life not Shame!

The energy of life rests in my womb Within me manifest the miracles of creation A seedling of inspiration Blooming into creative force My womb It is not my prison It is…

Gold to Ashes

It is not questionable that in times of disasters, natural or people made, women and girls are the ones that suffer the greatest consequences. Haiti is a perfect example of how a…

The Run for a Cause

This Sunday, March 13th marks the 8th WOMEN FIRST 5km race taking place in Addis Ababa. The annual women’s only race is the second largest running event organized by the Great Ethiopian…

Phenomenal Woman

She’s a no-nonsense type of woman. Bold. Creative. Courageous. Persistent. Outspoken. She refers to herself as ” constructively aggressive”. I have never really embraced a role model before beyond my mother and…

Unlearning Misconceptions

I cannot imagine anything more rewarding that comes to agents of change than when their persistence and commitment to a certain cause bears fruit. This has been the case in pastoralist communities…