Poetry Night Calls for Unified Action to Combat Violence Against Women and Girls

Addis Ababa – In a powerful gesture to mark the 16 Days of Activism Campaign, Women Can Do It (WCDI) hosted an inspiring poetry night, aligned with this year’s global theme, “Towards Beijing +30: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls.” This marks the 33rd iteration of the campaign, which Ethiopia is observing with the dedicated theme “End Violence Against Women and Girls.”

The poetry night served as a platform for diverse voices, bringing together religious leaders, representatives from civil society organizations, security personnel, esteemed poets, students, and emerging artists to engage in this crucial dialogue.

In her opening remarks, Saba Gebremedhin, Director of the Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), underscored the necessity for collaborative efforts in addressing violence against women, insisting that isolated initiatives are insufficient. She highlighted the essential role that men must play in safeguarding women and girls from violence, reaffirming NEWA’s commitment to work alongside various stakeholders to foster safer communities.

Emwodish Bekele, Founder and CEO of Women Can Do It, echoed this sentiment, pointing out that violence against women remains a significant challenge. She urged all stakeholders, particularly men, to contribute actively towards resolving this urgent issue. Emwodish also stressed the importance of artistic expression in effectively conveying the issues faced by women and girls to society.

Religious leaders from both Christian and Islamic faiths called upon their communities to adhere to religious tenets that advocate for the protection of women and girls from violence.

The event featured performances by students and young artists, who showcased their poetry, prose, and artistic works aimed at raising awareness about violence against women and girls, as well as exploring collaborative solutions to address this pressing challenge.