As the clock ticked closer to 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2025, AWiBers, guests, and men poured through the gates of Hilton in waves, buzzing with anticipation. You could feel it in the air – the eagerness to witness how this extraordinary evening would unfold. The concept, “Men Champions of Change,” was to be brought to life through a highly interactive World Café-style experience. This was no ordinary event; it was a collective vision coming to life through the exchange of ideas, where each participant’s voice was heard. 

The hall was arranged with many small circles of discussion with World Cafe Leads who are prominent men leaders who live their commitment to championing collaborative leadership. They guide the discussion and echo the voices raised in their circles to the main facilitators, adding to the collective intelligence that is to be summarized at the end. After each question, the groups disperse and reform, increasing the number of people each participant engages with tremendously. Among the World Cafe leads were: Zelalem Woldemariam of Zeleman,  Bekri Ahmedin of Netib Consult, Zelalem Enawgaw of Wajew Trading PLC, Fitsum Zewdu of Addis Green Solution & more. 

After a short mingling, Yodit Gidey, a long-time AWiBer, welcomed everyone to November’s AWiB Connects @ the Hilton. She began by introducing AWiB’s mission as a vibrant platform of Addis Ababa’s community where ideas meet purpose. Guided by the motto, Responsible Leadership, AWiB nurtures growth through its exclusive network and transformative weekend programs. Closing her introduction, Yodit referred to AWiB as a trusted source of insight and a space for lasting friendships and business partnerships not only for women but also for men. 

Aster Asfaw, 2025 & 2024 AWiB’s Board Member, and Mesfin Asfaw, Managing Partner at Paradigm Consultancy, the facilitators of the day, took the stage with their vibrant and captivating presence. There were three questions to discuss throughout the evening. After a brief introduction of themselves and the process, they went into the first question…

1. What part do you play, in quiet moments or bold gestures, to help more women rise, lead, and offer their fullest potential to the world?

The room began to hum with thoughtful conversation. Voices grew stronger, laughter and insight interwove. Participants spoke earnestly of the many ways they stand beside women; some through financial and emotional support, others by creating safe environments where women can take risks and thrive.

Many shared stories of challenging women to step up, not by speaking for them, but by holding space for their voices to be heard and respected. Others emphasized the art of listening, not rushing to fix, but truly hearing women’s experiences and perspectives.

Several reflected on their roles as mentors and coaches, offering guidance, delegating responsibility, and building confidence by letting women take ownership and navigate challenges on their own. They spoke of sharing resources, opening networks, and inviting women into communities like AWiB where connection leads to courage.

The discussions touched on offering equal opportunities that take competence into consideration, not stereotypes. Some reflected deeply on partnerships at home, where accepting one’s spouse as they are, without forcing change, and building mutual respect.

A few men shared that being a true ally means celebrating women’s achievements publicly, ensuring their efforts are seen and credited. Others mentioned servant leadership, sharing household and workplace responsibilities equally. The importance of education and training was highlighted, helping women grow in knowledge and skill so they can lead confidently.

Finally, participants emphasized the courage to challenge outdated norms,  question cultural practices, and speak up when witnessing unfair treatment. When the facilitators summarized these reflections, the room was charged with collective purpose. As groups reshuffled for the next round, the energy remained – curious, open, alive. 

Aster & Mesfin summarized the discussion and gathered points for their summaries from the world cafe leads, then it was time for participants to disperse and form new groups at each table. This movement elevated the experience, adding fun to the introspective discussions that take place. The next question was then introduced by the facilitators and table leads. 

2. How do you recognize and reckon with unconscious biases, both within yourself and in your environment? When you witness bias or inequality, what do you usually choose to do – stay silent or challenge it?

The facilitators began by defining unconscious bias, its quiet roots in childhood and culture, leaving the rest for the small circles to discuss. The discussions deepened quickly. Participants shared how bias slips into the simplest acts, such as choosing toys for sons and daughters, praising girls for “acting like boys,”  “ወንድ ነሽ!”, and assuming that leadership naturally fits a man more than a woman.

Some reflected on how even sacred texts, when misunderstood, can reinforce hierarchy instead of partnership. Others pointed out that bias exists in both men and women; sometimes, even unasked help toward women can become a subtle form of bias. Stories flowed freely: one participant shared how a waiter automatically handed the bill to her husband, while another mentioned how interviewers ask women about marriage or children before considering their qualifications.

Then, as the facilitators gathered insights from the different circles, a spirited debate blossomed, alive, theatrical, and captivating to witness. The room pulsed with curiosity as one question took center stage: Do women in leadership become harsh and unnecessarily strict?

One side argued it stems from fear – fear that their guidance might not be followed. The other countered with quiet conviction: perhaps her firmness is simply a focus on the tasks at hand, her clarity misread through the haze of unconscious bias. After all, the raw, reflective, and unforgettable debate ended with a question for everyone to reflect on: “If the same tone came from a man, would we not call it strength?”

In summary, the facilitators reminded everyone, “Unconscious biases live in all of us – women, men, leaders alike. Let’s bring them into our awareness and unleash the power of collaborative leadership by lifting one another.” 

Then came the third and final question for the evening, after a final reshuffling of the groups. 

3. When you close your eyes and imagine a society that truly embraces collaborative leadership, what do you see?

This question stirred a collective vision – hopeful, vivid, and revolutionary. Participants dreamed of a world where collaboration brings order, where empathy replaces judgment, and where failure is seen as part of growth. 

In such a society, divorce rates would fall, and addiction would decline, for it would be natural to discuss pain openly instead of hiding behind silence or substance. It would be a community guided by moral awareness, one that recognizes the preciousness of life and chooses integrity while refusing to define anyone by gender, race, or any other category.

There would be no war, some said, only cooperation. “It would be heaven on earth if we led collaboratively,” another voice echoed. The room nodded in quiet agreement. Our society, they imagined, would be positive, empathic, reasonable, and value-driven, rooted in unconditional love, consideration, and genuine support for one another. Crimes and accidents would lessen, and there would be no rape, no catcalling, no sexual assault, and no double standards – it would be a world where safety and dignity are the norm.

And in homes, mothers would no longer carry the weight alone. The division of labor would be fair; families would be strong and joyful. Human rights would stand as the highest value, and those in leadership would carry the sacred duty of passing down wisdom and integrity to the next generation.

Leaders would be insightful, inclusive, and detail-oriented, listening not to respond but to understand. Humanity would finally rise above man-made problems, choosing compassion over power, understanding over judgment. As the evening ended, the facilitators gave a short summary, encouraging everyone to share what they had witnessed and learned from the discussions. It was visible that participants felt heard and connected through a vision that united not only all in the room, but what felt like a vision that inevitably vibrates out of that room through time and space. Closing the evening, Mesfin & Aster appreciated the World cafe leads and presented them with gifts as a token of appreciation.

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