Adigrat, Ethiopia — The Women’s Association of Tigray (WAT), in collaboration with UNFPA, celebrated White Ribbon Day at the Mulu Tesfay Hotel in Adigrat, highlighting ongoing efforts to end gender-based violence and empower young women across the region.
During the event, top female general examination scorers from 18 woredas in the Eastern Zone were honored for their academic excellence. Each awardee received 3,000 birr in cash, along with one dozen exercise books and pens. The students were also appointed as Ambassadors of WAT, recognizing their potential to influence positive change within their communities.
A key feature of the program was a presentation by Tesfay Tadesse, WAT project coordinator, on the global campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.” The presentation emphasized the critical role of community engagement in preventing and responding to violence against women and girls.
In her remarks, Abeba Haileselassie, CEO of the Women’s Association of Tigray, urged participants to stand together in the fight against gender-based violence. She emphasized unity, awareness, and collective responsibility as essential tools for building safer communities.
Participants also viewed a short film on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), providing a visual representation of challenges faced by women and girls and the importance of continued advocacy.
The event concluded with group discussions focused on identifying practical next steps and strengthening strategies to combat violence and support survivors across the region.
