The event served as both a solemn reflection on the challenges facing the region and a celebratory investment in its future leaders.
Key Leadership Insights:
The leadership of WAT used the platform to address the structural and social roots of Gender-Based Violence (GBV):
Abeba Haileselassie (CEO of WAT): In her opening address, she emphasized that the fight against violence is not a task for women alone. She underscored that a “violence-free environment” can only be achieved through the active participation of all members of society, including men and community leaders.
Netsanet Begashaw (Vice CEO of WAT): She provided a comprehensive overview of the White Ribbon Day evolution—which originated as a male-led movement to end violence against women—and presented a sobering report on the current GBV situation in Tigray, noting the heightened risks survivors face in the post-conflict recovery phase.
From Crisis to Solutions:
A core component of the event was a participatory discussion where attendees brainstormed “way outs” from the current crisis. Common themes included:
Strengthening local legal protections and reporting mechanisms.
Expanding economic opportunities for women to reduce vulnerability.
Community-based education programs to dismantle harmful traditional norms.
Investing in “Model Ambassadors”:
The highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of 64 top-performing female students from Grade 8 and above. These young women were selected based on their academic excellence and leadership potential.
This initiative follows similar efforts by WAT in other zones (such as a recent event in Adigrat), signaling a coordinated regional strategy to turn top students into the front line of social change.
