Edelawit Alemu, 24, is a passionate young woman currently working in Benshangul-Gumuz region of Metekel Zone, a place known for recurring conflicts. However, working under difficult circumstances is not intimidating for a young woman with vision like Edelawit. Rather, facing challenges and learning in the process is her way of growing professionally and personally. The organization she is working for is Mujejeguwa Loka Women’s Development Association, founded by the late Tirhas Mezgebe, the well-known women rights activist served the community for some 30 years.
She is from the small town of Wonji, 103 Kms from the capital Addis Ababa. She studied ‘Early childhood care and education’ and graduated from Woldiya University one and half years ago. She was passionate about serving the society, especially working on issues affecting women and children and she has joined the new department despite the advice that the field of study won’t get her a job as it is new in the job market.
Immediately after graduation she joined TARKANFI Sustainable Development Association as project coordinator for the organization’s Sheleads project. The project, implemented by TARKANFI as a subgrantee of Network of Ethiopia Women’s Associations (NEWA) aimed at empowering girls and young women. “Coordinating the activities aimed at helping girls and young women build their capacity around motivation, self-confidence and communication skills also helped me to be a better version of myself” said Edelawit. She also believes her experiences of the Sheleads helped her broaden her scope.
Edelawit is member of the Ethiopian Young Women Voice (EYWV), aspiring young girls’ group recently established by NEWA under the Sheleads project. 40 young women from different regions of the country are members of the group.
She describes herself as confident, someone who easily communicates her ideas and willing to learn and explore new things.
According to Edelawit, as someone who as has been implementing Sheleads and now part of a group under the project, facing challenges, being confident and able to be a voice for the silenced, having the willingness and empathy to understand other women’s situation are the few skills she has acquired through Sheleads among others. She believes empowering young women is very critical to create a society that treats men and women equally.
Establishing a foundation that helps children and women is Edelawit’s vision. Edelawit and her likes are the hopes that the country will have many more Tirhases.
