On March 7, 2026, the Ethiopian Sustainable Food Systems and Agroecology Consortium (ESFSAC) celebrated International Women’s Day by honoring the strength, resilience, compassion, and leadership that women bring to society.
The half-day program aimed to celebrate and strengthen women’s leadership and visibility in agroecology and sustainable food systems. The event recognized women champions contributing to agroecology and food system transformation, created a platform for storytelling and reflection, highlighted women’s roles in Ethiopian agriculture and indigenous food systems, strengthened the Women in Agroecology and Food Systems Network, and delivered inspirational messages promoting gender equality and leadership.
The event brought together members of the Network of Women in Agroecology and Food Systems, parliamentarians, and invited guests from Kotebe University of Education, Addis Ababa University, and ActionAid Ethiopia.
The program was facilitated by Mahder Akalu, a communication expert, who opened the session by contextualizing the “Give to Gain” global campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2026. She emphasized the idea that when individuals, organizations, and communities invest in women through opportunities, resources, and support, society benefits and progresses.
During the opening remarks, Dr. Bayush Tsegaye, Executive Director of ESFSAC, delivered a powerful message:
“ሴቶች እድልን እንጂ ችሎታ አላጡም” Women do not lack ability; they lack opportunity.
She highlighted the importance of creating opportunities and providing skill- and knowledge-based capacity-building initiatives to empower women.
The keynote speech was delivered by Hirut Kassa from ActionAid Ethiopia, who acknowledged the government’s efforts to empower women through international conventions and national laws. She also noted the gaps in policy implementation and called for stronger action to ensure that these commitments translate into real change.
Mignot Getachew from Kotebe University of Education shared inspiring examples of women who have become role models through activism, innovation, and leadership. She emphasized that investing in women drives innovation and social transformation, encouraging participants to pursue excellence and authenticity with her powerful message: “Be the First You.”
The event also featured personal reflections from Dr. Eskedar Gizat, former Vice President of Dire Dawa University, and Dr. Alganesh Tola, who shared their life journeys and the challenges they overcame.
Dr. Eskedar encouraged women to recognize their weaknesses and actively work toward growth, highlighting the importance of continuous learning, confidence building, and navigating work–life balance.
Dr. Alganesh shared her inspiring journey: from walking long hours to attend primary school to overcoming workplace barriers where she was even denied office space. Rather than giving up, she turned the library into her workspace, allowing her to focus deeply and achieve remarkable success in her career.
The event concluded with a collective message celebrating the women who continue to inspire change, lead transformation, and shape more inclusive and sustainable food systems.
