On March 8, 2026, the Women’s Association of Tigray (WAT) celebrated International Women’s Day in Wukro, focusing on the resilience and empowerment of women in the region.
The event, sponsored by a UNFPA project implemented by WAT, brought together community members and officials to honor the progress of Tigrayan women while addressing the unique challenges they face in the post-conflict recovery phase.
Key Highlights of the Event
Theme: The celebration was held under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls” (aligned with the global UN theme for 2026), with a specific localized focus on the recovery and justice for Tigrayan women.
Historical Context: Abeba Haileselassie, CEO of WAT, delivered a presentation on the global origins of March 8. She bridged this history with the specific experiences of Tigrean women, highlighting their historical bravery and their current role as the backbone of societal reconstruction.
Call to Unity: The CEO issued a formal call to action, urging community members, government bodies, and NGOs to unite. She emphasized that realizing the “causes of March 8” requires more than just a one-day celebration-it requires sustained systemic change.
Movement and Advocacy: Netsanet Begashaw, Deputy CEO of WAT, presented on the association’s ongoing movements. Her session focused on the practical steps WAT is taking to advocate for women’s rights and the specific “causes” that drive their current humanitarian and developmental initiatives.
The Role of UNFPA and WAT
The partnership between UNFPA and WAT has been critical in providing Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) response in the region. This event served as a platform to showcase how these projects are transitioning from emergency response to sustainable empowerment.
”We must move from the protection of rights on paper to the realization of justice in practice for every woman in Tigray.” – Abeba Haileselassie, CEO of WAT