The Haset Summit held on June 26, 2025, at Hilton Addis, marked a powerful milestone as the first cohort of the Haset Women Leadership Program officially graduated in a celebration of transformation, sisterhood, and visionary leadership.

Hosted with energy and grace by two Haset graduates, Dr. Bethlehem Kifle Abegaz and Dr. Bethelhem Birhanu Geremew, the event reflected on the graduates’ one-year journey of personal and professional growth. Saba G. Medhin, Executive Director of the Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), opened the event with a powerful message, celebrating the Haset Program’s role in empowering young women leaders in Ethiopia’s civil society sector. 

Keynote speaker Dr. Meseret Kassahun, a distinguished researcher and expert, delivered an impactful address on gender and leadership, grounded in the national study on the barriers to women’s leadership in Ethiopia, that inspired the program’s design.

The summit featured an inspiring panel discussion, “Journey to Leadership,” where four Haset graduates shared how the program shifted their leadership mindset—emphasizing inner reflection, resilience, and the power of lived experience. A subsequent dialogue, “The Impact of Future Women Leaders,” highlighted the systemic barriers women face and called for mentorship, visibility, and policy-level support to advance women’s leadership across sectors.

The summit also showcased five graduate-led volunteer projects addressing community needs; from women’s empowerment and youth mentorship, literacy, advocacy for terminally ill children, and inclusion for children with intellectual disabilities. A gallery walk allowed attendees to explore and support these initiatives.

Dr. Sisay Sirgu, MD, MPH, Associate Professor and Provost of St. Paul’s Hospital MMC, delivered a passionate speech on “The Importance of Male Partnerships,” calling for intentional male allyship and systemic change to realize gender equity in leadership. “Let us not wait to be invited. Let us not watch from the sidelines. Let us step up, speak up, and stand beside the women shaping our future.” he declared.

The evening culminated with closing remarks from Her Excellency Ambassador Tadelech Hailemichael, who called for women leadership to be at the forefront of building sustainable peace and advancing gender equity. She praised the Haset program for nurturing such capable leaders. She awarded certificates to each graduate, marking a proud and emotional conclusion to a memorable day.

With joy, pride, and a deep sense of purpose, the Haset Summit concluded, honoring a transformative year for the first cohort of emerging women leaders in the program and setting the stage for lasting impact.

The Haset Women Leadership Program is a one-year project developed for Ethiopian women leaders in CSOs. Women remain underrepresented in senior leadership roles within CSOs, holding just 29% of top positions. The Haset Leadership Program was designed to address this gap funded by the Packard Foundation, developed by Emerge PLC, and implemented by Association of Women in Boldness (AWiB).

Read the full Recap of the Haset Summit here.

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