UN Women Ethiopia

14/08/2026

UN Women Ethiopia, in collaboration with the የአፍሪካ አመራር ልህቀት አካዳሚ African Leadership Excellence Academy (AFLEX), organized a four-day Women’s Leadership Program Experience Sharing and Training of Trainers on Adult Learning Skills, taking place from 11–14 August 2026 in Addis Ababa. The initiative is part of the Gates Foundation-supported efforts to strengthen leadership development programs and institutional capacities of both UN Women and AFLEX, fostering transformative and gender-responsive leadership across Ethiopia.

The program brings together UN Women and AFLEX staff to strengthen the capacity of training facilitators to design and deliver engaging, learner-centered training. Sessions cover adult learning methodologies, psychologically safe learning environments, advanced facilitation skills, classroom and group dynamics, and practical approaches to designing and delivering effective training.

A key component of the program is experience sharing on UN Women’s Transformative Leadership for Gender Equality (TLGE) approach, drawing on lessons from its design, implementation and scaling. The exchange provides an opportunity to strengthen AFLEX’s capacity to integrate gender-transformative approaches into its leadership development programs while fostering mutual learning and institutional growth for both organizations.

Since 2017, UN Women Ethiopia has been advancing women’s leadership and participation in decision-making through a range of leadership development initiatives targeting women leaders, aspiring political candidates, elected representatives, civil society organizations, young women, and institutional actors. Through its Transformative Leadership for Gender Equality (TLGE) approach, UN Women has supported the development of leadership skills, strengthened networks and mentorship opportunities, challenged discriminatory social norms, and promoted women’s meaningful participation in leadership and governance. The collaboration with AFLEX builds on this experience and contributes to scaling sustainable, gender-responsive leadership development approaches across Ethiopia.

In his welcoming remarks, Schadrack Dusabe, Country Representative (OiC), UN Women Ethiopia, noted: “When facilitated well, learning becomes more than knowledge transfer. It becomes a process of reflection, confidence building, and collective problem-solving, helping participants connect leadership skills with the deeper work of advancing equality within their institutions. I reaffirm UN Women’s commitment to partnerships that strengthen women’s leadership, normalize gender equality in institutions, and support lasting transformation. We value our collaboration with AFLEX and look forward to sustaining this partnership for greater impact.”

Through this Gates Foundation-supported collaboration, UN Women and AFLEX are strengthening leadership development systems and advancing transformative leadership that promotes gender equality and women’s empowerment in Ethiopia. UN Women’s transformative leadership for gender equality program has so far reached more than 5000 women leaders from all over Ethiopia since 2017.
UN in Ethiopia Jennet Kem

04/08/2026

UN Women Ethiopia and Cooperative Bank of Oromia held a productive meeting yesterday to explore a strategic partnership aimed at advancing women’s economic empowerment, financial inclusion, innovation, and sustainable agricultural development.

The discussions focused on opportunities to support women entrepreneurs and women farmers by expanding access to finance, strengthening financial literacy, promoting digital innovation, and investing in community-driven solutions that improve livelihoods.

UN Women Ethiopia Country Representative, Ms. Jennet Kem emphasized that women’s economic empowerment remains a top priority and highlighted the importance of partnering with Cooperative Bank of Oromia to expand financial inclusion and opportunities for women across Ethiopia.

Cooperative Bank of Oromia CEO, Mr. Deribie Asfaw, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to creating impact beyond financial services, noting that collaboration with partners such as UN Women can help strengthen communities and transform more lives through inclusive financial solutions.

Together, UN Women Ethiopia and Cooperative Bank of Oromia are laying the foundation for a partnership that expands opportunities for women and contributes to more inclusive and sustainable development across Ethiopia.



UN in Ethiopia UN Women Africa - ONU Femmes Afrique FBC (Fana Broadcasting Corporate S.C.)

03/08/2026

On 29 July 2026, UN Women Ethiopia, in partnership with Miss International Ethiopia OP, organized a one-day Leadership Training and Transgenerational Experience Sharing Program for the Miss International Ethiopia 2026 contestants.

The training brought together more than 40 participants, including contestants, the Miss International Ethiopia organizing team, UN Women Ethiopia leadership and staff, and expert facilitators. Through sessions on gender equality, women’s empowerment, personal mastery, leadership, power and influence, and sustainable changemaking, participants strengthened the knowledge and skills needed to become informed advocates and leaders in their communities.

In her welcoming remarks, Ms. Jennet Kem, UN Women Ethiopia Representative, encouraged the contestants to recognize the influence they hold as young leaders and changemakers. “As candidates for Miss International Ethiopia, you represent much more than beauty. You have a platform, a voice, and the ability to influence conversations, inspire other young women, and draw attention to issues that matter. The most memorable women leaders are not those who simply stand out, they are those who stand up for something. They use their visibility to create impact, champion equality, and inspire positive change in their communities and beyond.”

During a personal experience sharing session, Ms. Jennet reflected on her own leadership journey, inspiring the contestants to lead with purpose, resilience, self-belief, and integrity while embracing opportunities to create lasting social impact. She encouraged the young women to remain steadfast in the face of challenges, continuously invest in their personal growth, and use their leadership to create positive change in their communities and beyond.

Opening the program, Ms. Frezewd Solomon, Organizer of Miss International Ethiopia, emphasized that the pageant is about far more than beauty. “We are not simply preparing young women for a beauty competition; we are developing confident leaders, advocates, and ambassadors who will represent Ethiopia with intelligence, integrity, compassion, and purpose. Remember that a true queen is measured not only by her beauty but by her character, her confidence, her voice, and her commitment to serving others.”

The initiative builds on UN Women’s long-standing work to advance women’s leadership and meaningful participation by creating spaces where women including young women can strengthen their confidence, voice, advocacy skills and influence. By combining gender transformative leadership training with intergenerational experience sharing, the programme connects UN Women’s broader commitment to women’s empowerment with a new platform that enables young women to become visible advocates for gender equality and positive social change.
UN in Ethiopia UN Women Africa - ONU Femmes Afrique Jennet Kem Jennet Kem FBC (Fana Broadcasting Corporate S.C.)

23/07/2026

165 women leaders graduate from the Presidential Leadership Programme Phase II in Addis Ababa

On 14 July 2026, more than 165 women leaders from across graduated from the second phase of the Presidential Leadership Programme marking the close of one chapter and the start of another: turning leadership theory into practice.

The graduation ceremony brought together alumni from across the country for a refresher training and networking session, offering space to reflect on the progress they had made in implementing the personal and organizational action plans they developed during the training within their respective institutions and communities.

Over the course of the intensive 10-day programme, participants strengthened their leadership, decision-making, and communication skills while learning from experienced leaders and practitioners sharing insights tested in real-world practice. Many described the experience as "eye-opening," "practical," "transformative," "life-changing," and "empowering."

Speaking at the ceremony, UN Women Ethiopia Deputy Country Representative Schadrack Dusabe, congratulated the graduates on their dedication, perseverance, and enthusiasm and encouraged them to put their new skills into immediate action to "build a more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Ethiopia."

State Minister for የሴቶችና ማህበራዊ ጉዳይ ሚኒስቴር Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, H.E. Hikma Keyredin, called the graduates "the hope of the nation", urging them to demonstrate exemplary leadership across their respective sectors. The Ministry also used the occasion to further disseminate Ethiopia's newly adopted National Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality Policy (2026).

Perhaps the most powerful words came from a participant from Gambella: "A road is cleared by one, and many will walk on it. This training elevated us to be the ones who create the path…. we are now the way through which other women will grow to become leaders."

UN Women Ethiopia congratulations all 165 graduates. The future of Ethiopian leadership is inclusive, empowered, and already in motion.
The event closed with two research and advocacy presentations shaping the road ahead for women in Ethiopia: Dr. Tilahun presented a study on Determining Ethiopian Women's Status and Priorities, and Saba G/Medhin, Executive Director of Newa Ethiopia, presented Women's Asks — a collection of insights gathered through the Coalition for Women's Voice in the National Dialogue.
The Presidential Leadership Programme is an initiative of H.E Sahle-Work Zewde, Ethiopia’s first female President. Implemented by UN Women Ethiopia in partnership with the የሴቶችና ማህበራዊ ጉዳይ ሚኒስቴር Ministry of Women and Social Affairs and generously funded by the Gates Foundation, the programme, in its two phases of implementation, has now empowered more than 345 women leaders across Ethiopia.

12/07/2026

This morning, UN Women Ethiopia joined over 20,000 dialogue stakeholders, community members, and institutional partners in the 5km Road Race under the theme "Ethiopia is Deliberating," organized by the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission/የኢትዮጵያ ሀገራዊ ምክክር ኮሚሽን.
The race is part of the Commission's public engagement and mobilization efforts ahead of this month's historic National Dialogue Conference.
Together, we continue to promote inclusive dialogue and strengthen pathways to lasting peace and social cohesion.
European Union in Ethiopia German Embassy Addis Ababa Embassy of Ireland in Ethiopia UN in Ethiopia Jennet Kem

04/07/2026

26/06/2026

18/06/2026

Today, UN Women Ethiopia, in close collaboration with UNFPA Ethiopia, successfully hosted an introductory capacity‑building session on the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS). The event brought together representatives from the Gender Statistics Technical Working Group and Civil Society Organizations working on gender equality and women’s empowerment. The session combined theoretical presentations with practical demonstrations, offering participants hands‑on experience in navigating IMIS, generating sex‑disaggregated statistics, and producing outputs such as tables and charts. UNFPA’s technical expert highlighted the importance of population data and gender indicators, this interactive approach ensured that participants not only understood the purpose and structure of IMIS but also gained practical skills to apply it in gender‑responsive programming, policy dialogue, and evidence‑based advocacy.

The event concluded with a lively question‑and‑answer session and reflective discussions, underscoring the relevance of IMIS as a tool for strengthening gender equality work in Ethiopia. Participants emphasized the importance of collaboration across government institutions, UN agencies, CSOs, and academia in harnessing gender statistics for impactful decision‑making. By leading this initiative with UNFPA, UN Women Ethiopia reaffirmed its role in driving forward evidence‑based advocacy and empowering stakeholders to use data more effectively in promoting women’s rights and gender equality.
UN in Ethiopia Jennet Kem UNDP Ethiopia Ethiopian Statistical Service-ESS

11/06/2026

የጥላቻ ንግግር ተጨባጭ መዘዞች አሉት፡፡

💠 ማህበራዊ ግንኙነታችን ከጥላቻ ንግግር የጸዳ ይሁን
💠 እውነታዉን እናጣራ
💠 የመቻቻል መልዕክቶችን እናጋራ
💠 በጥላቻ ንግግር ኢላማ የሆኑ ሰዎችን እንደግፍ
💠 ጥላቻ ንግግርን በማህበራዊ የሚዲያ አማራጮች ሪፖርት እናድርግ

የጥላቻ ንግግር ይቁም!

05/06/2026

The climate crisis is reshaping the lives of women, girls, and their communities, affecting

🟢 Livelihoods
🟢 Food security
🟢 Access to water

From strengthening women's leadership in environmental decision-making to protecting women environmental human rights defenders, UN Women calls to accelerate action for climate and .

This and every day, the call to act must also be a call .

See our statement: http://unwo.men/EH8u50Z7JZk