Celebrating the She Leads Journey!
On September 23, 2025, NEWA, has proudly hosted the Closure Program of the “She Leads” Project at the Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa.
For the past five years, under the project “Enhancing Girls and Young Women (GYW),” NEWA has worked to strengthen the collective voice and action of girls and young women, supporting their meaningful participation in both formal and informal institutions, influencing decision-making spaces, and advancing their rights.
The program opened with a warm welcoming remark by Ms. Ilham Mohammed, President of EYWV, followed by an inspiring speech from Ms. Mistir Alebachew, Program Manager of NEWA, who highlighted the remarkable journey of She Leads, the resilience of young women leading the movement, and the responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that the momentum continues beyond the project. A powerful keynote address was then delivered by Ms. Mahlet Amare, delegate of MoWSA, alongside Mr. Girma Amneta, TDH-NL Country Director.
The event brought together the Ethiopian Young Women Voice (EYWV), Government Officials, partners, House of People Representatives, Child Parliamentarians, NEWA members, Youth-led CSOs, Partners, Donors and key stakeholders to celebrate the project’s achievements and reaffirm their collective commitment to sustaining the movement of girls and young women.
Highlights of the day included:
- A presentation on the five-year journey of EYWV showcasing opportunities, achievements, and challenges.
- An engaging Q&A session with participants.
- A thought-provoking panel discussion on “Opportunities and Challenges in Advancing EYWV Sustainability” was held, featuring representatives from the Ministry of Education, the HPR Women’s Caucus, EYWV delegates, and CSO representatives as panelists. The discussion explored the opportunities available for girls and young women, while EYWV delegates shared the threats and challenges they faced throughout their journey.
- An inspiring intergenerational dialogue — creating a space for experience-sharing and leadership lessons between youth and senior experts in leadership, media engagement, communication, and human rights advocacy, bridging understanding across generations.
The program concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Girma Amneta and Ms. Mistir Alebachew, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring that the voices of girls and young women remain strong and influential.
Though the She Leads Project has formally closed, its legacy lives on, in every empowered voice, in every leadership lesson shared, and in every bold step that girls and young women in Ethiopia will continue to take.
