NEWA held a Bi-Annual Task Force Consultation Meeting
As part of the She Leads project, NEWA held a Bi-Annual Task Force Consultation Meeting on June 30, 2025, at Kaleb Hotel, Addis Ababa.
The consultation brought together key government representatives, youth leaders, and civil society organizations to reflect on project achievements, identify ongoing challenges, and strengthen coordination in the collective pursuit of gender equality and youth empowerment.
The session opened with a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusive dialogue and accountability. It provided a platform to review six months of project progress, with reports and updates highlighting the impact of grassroots initiatives led by sub-grant partners. These efforts demonstrated the growing strength of youth-led movements and their role in driving meaningful change at the local level.Government bodies—including the Ministry of Finance (MOF), Ministry of Planning and Development (MOPD), Ministry of Women and Social Affairs (MOWSA), Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Labor and Skills (MOLS), Bureau of Women and Social Affairs (BOWSA), and Addis Ababa Bureau of Education in Addis Ababa—offered reflections and expressed a strong commitment to closer collaboration with youth actors and civil society partners.
A critical challenge identified during the meeting was the delay in ratifying the National Youth Policy—a gap that continues to hinder national-level engagement and recognition of young people’s voices. In response, youth leaders from the Ethiopian Young Woman Voice (EYWV) took the floor to share their progress, raise strategic questions, and call for action. Their presence underscored the power of youth-led advocacy and demanded concrete responses from the task force.
The meeting concluded with a unifying message: “When we work for women, we are also working for 50% of men. Engaging young women—especially through platforms like EYWV—is essential. Our collaboration must continue. This task force is here to shape a better future for girls and young women. If we want real change, we must work together.”
The consultation affirmed the importance of sustained multi-stakeholder engagement and a shared vision for a more inclusive, just, and equitable society—where girls and young women lead the way.
