International Women’s Day, originating from the grassroots movement of women workers in North America and Europe in the early 1900s, has grown into a global celebration of women’s rights and accomplishments. It all began in 1908, when female garment workers in New York City demanded better working conditions and political representation. The following year saw the establishment of National Women’s Day in Europe, setting the stage for an international celebration proposed by German communist activist, and advocator for women’s rights Clara Zetkin in 1910.
Fast forward to 1945, and the United Nations Charter officially recognized gender equality as a foundational principle. By 1975, the United Nations formally acknowledged Women’s Day, later decreeing March 8 as an annual worldwide holiday to honor women’s contributions and advocate for gender equality.
Despite significant strides, women across the globe continue to encounter various obstacles, from gender-based violence to unequal access to education and leadership roles. Acknowledging these challenges, organizations like the Population Media Center have taken proactive steps to empower women in regions such as Ethiopia, combatting harmful practices like female genital mutilation, child marriage, sexual gender-based violation and the like.
Population Media Center Ethiopia has garnered support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Save the Children, and other allied institutions, collaborating with relevant government bodies across multiple woredas. PMC is actively engaged in initiatives aimed at raising awareness and addressing issues such as female genital mutilation, child marriage, sexual harassment, and other harmful practices through entertaining and educational radio programs, as well as establishing radio listening groups in various woredas.
Nekakat (“Cracked”), produced by PMC-Ethiopia, was strategically designed and launched to support the Ethiopian Government and United Nations Fund’s goals of achieving zero tolerance for female genital mutilation (FGM) by 2024 and increasing contraceptive prevalence among women of reproductive age. This radio drama was created to educate and entertain listeners as a vital part of a nationwide communications campaign addressing these critical issues. Acting together, the Ethiopian Government and UNF set life-changing objectives to improve health and rights for Ethiopians, with Nekakat playing a key role in advancing those goals.
View Project
Yalaleke Guzo
Yalaleke Guzo (“Unfinished Journey”) is an Amharic-language talk show produced by PMC and airing in Ethiopia from 2020 through 2022. Blending storytelling, interviews, poetry, music, health tips, and short audio plays, each 30-minute episode offers a rich and engaging exploration of critical social issues. Alongside PMC’s radio drama Nekakat (“Cracked”), Yalaleke Guzo supports the Ethiopian government’s goal of ending female genital mutilation and child marriage by 2025—sparking awareness and action through powerful, culturally resonant media.
Yenealem
Yenealem (“My World”), published by PMC in February 2012, is a compelling collection of real-life stories addressing violence against women in Ethiopia. Written by both veteran and emerging Ethiopian writers who traveled across regions to gather firsthand accounts, the book features ten powerful narratives selected by a jury for their impact. Yenealem played a key role in supporting the Whole Society Strategy during the 2010–2011 project focused on combating violence against women.
Yalaleke Guzo
Ethiopia
Project Duration:
2020-2022
Yalaleke Guzo (“Unfinished Journey”) is an Amharic-language talk show produced by PMC and airing in Ethiopia from 2020 through 2022. Blending storytelling, interviews, poetry, music, health tips, and short audio plays, each 30-minute episode offers a rich and engaging exploration of critical social issues. Alongside PMC’s radio drama Nekakat (“Cracked”), Yalaleke Guzo supports the Ethiopian government’s goal of ending female genital mutilation and child marriage by 2025—sparking awareness and action through powerful, culturally resonant media.
Yenealem
Ethiopia
Project Duration:
2012
Yenealem (“My World”), published by PMC in February 2012, is a compelling collection of real-life stories addressing violence against women in Ethiopia. Written by both veteran and emerging Ethiopian writers who traveled across regions to gather firsthand accounts, the book features ten powerful narratives selected by a jury for their impact. Yenealem played a key role in supporting the Whole Society Strategy during the 2010–2011 project focused on combating violence against women.
Through on-the-ground evaluations, Population Media Center Ethiopia has observed a significant shift in behavior among parents in regions like Afar and Somali, who have refrained from perpetuating harmful practices like female genital mutilation due to increased awareness of their harmful nature. This underscores the importance of education and awareness-raising efforts in combating harmful practices against women.
For over two decades, PMC has been at the forefront of efforts to promote women’s rights and address various social, economic, and health-related issues in Ethiopia’s diverse regions. In addition to radio programs, they distribute informative materials like books, booklets, and magazines to communities, disseminating messages focused on eradicating harmful practices.
PMC-Ethiopia Is Eliminating FGM and Child Marriage In Afar and Somali regions
This year’s theme, “Investing in Women: Accelerating Growth,” underscores the importance of dismantling barriers and fostering inclusive societies. Member countries are urged to take action, from safeguarding women’s human rights to ensuring access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Effectively addressing women’s issues requires collective action and collaboration. By empowering women economically, ensuring their health and well-being, and promoting environmental sustainability, we can pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future for all. Let International Women’s Day serve as a reminder of our ongoing commitment to gender equality and the necessity of unity in effecting meaningful change.
Building global sustainability for today and for tomorrow all begins with the rights of women and girls. The right to education, economic independence, and reproductive autonomy are the building blocks and must-haves for gender equality and a climate-conscious world.
