Born in Addis Ababa as the youngest of three, Rakeb Messele Aberra grew up racing and playing with her brothers, developing an appreciation for challenges, curiosity, and calculated risk-taking. Her formative years at Lycée Gebre Mariam, surrounded by classmates from around the world, nurtured a global outlook and a deep appreciation for diverse cultures. Like many children, Rakeb once dreamt of becoming a medical doctor – but by the time she reached 12th grade, she had found Law to be her calling. She joined the Addis Ababa University, and later on its School of Law, following a path that felt deeply personal and purposeful.

After graduating in 1996, Rakeb joined the newly formed Ethiopian Women Lawyers’ Association (EWLA), having already engaged with the Association while writing her thesis on domestic violence. At EWLA, she conducted Ethiopia’s first research on violence against women, analyzing legal frameworks, justice system responses, and accountability mechanisms. She later worked as a consultant, training paralegals and supporting the establishment of women’s rights movement across the country – learning to work independently and deliver high-quality results under pressure.

Rakeb’s passion for human rights grew and led her to pursue an LLM in Human Rights and Democratization in Africa at the University of Pretoria. Her thesis focused on the human rights violations faced by trafficked domestic workers. During a brief return to Addis, she attended a conference on human trafficking where a pivotal moment unfolded: in a heated debate questioning whether Ethiopian domestic workers who consented to migrate for work to the Middle Eastern countries could be considered victims of trafficking. Rakeb, spoke out firmly, arguing that the deception during the migration process that led them to face exploitative living and working conditions qualifies them as victims of trafficking. Her insight caught the attention of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which offered her a role in Ethiopia’s first national counter-trafficking program. She led the initiative using a comprehensive four-pronged approach: prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership.

Rakeb’s journey continued to the African Child Policy Forum and UNICEF, where she provided technical assistance to strengthen justice systems for children and women. She helped establish and strengthen child-friendly centers in police stations, and one-stop centers in health facilities offering legal, medical, psychosocial, and financial support to survivors of violence. She championed the principle that children in conflict with the law still deserve protection, emphasizing that imprisonment should only be considered as a last resort.

Motivated by the limitations of conventional support systems, Rakeb then co-founded Play Therapy Africa in Ethiopia with four colleagues. Supported by UNICEF, they introduced the play-based therapeutic approaches across several African countries, offering children a healing path that spoke their language – Play.

Rakeb’s adventurous spirit then led her to West Africa, where she joined Save the Children Sweden first as the Regional Advisor for Child Rights Governance, later transitioning to Regional Advisor for Child Protection in Asia. She oversaw programs in 14 countries, strengthening youth-led organizations and child protection systems. For instance, her work in Bangladesh, reaffirmed a universal truth: “women are women, and children are children everywhere and they deserve protection against violence.” Wherever she worked, her passion remained the same.

In 2020, a defining opportunity unveiled itself when she was invited to support the reform of one of Ethiopia’s most vital institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights – the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC). In March 2020, Rakeb returned to Ethiopia as the Senior Strategic Advisor of the EHRC – just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. She balanced the demands of institutional reform with supporting her two daughters through the sudden shift to online schooling. Soon after, war erupted in northern Ethiopia, yet she pressed on, mobilizing a high-performing team and fostering a culture of dialogue, innovation, and shared purpose.

In July 2021, Rakeb was appointed as Deputy Chief Commissioner. She co-led sweeping reforms, building a values-driven team of over 330 staff. She spearheaded the development of a participatory five-year strategic plan and supported the change that led EHRC to achieve ‘A’ status under the Paris Principles. Under her leadership, the Commission’s funding base expanded from 3 to 20 partners, and its budget increased by over 1,170% in four years.

In August 2025, Rakeb stepped down from EHRC. She now works as a Human Rights and Organizational Development Consultant, focusing on human rights analysis, organizational development, and strategic planning. Reflecting on her journey, she shares: “I thought that as human beings became more civilized and exposed to multiculturalism, we would value human rights, cherish diversity, and embrace inclusion. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem that’s where the world is heading.”
For Rakeb, leadership is not about personal achievement, but about building movements that thrive beyond the individual. “A leader’s job is to build the capacity and empower others,” she says. “The goal is not to showcase your own performance, but the collective strength of the team you mobilized and empowered.”

Many who worked with Rakeb describe her as a role model – a recognition she deeply values. For her, knowing she has inspired others means she has achieved the ultimate goal of leadership.

Her message to youth is “Ambition fuels both professional fulfillment and personal growth. The journey may be challenging, but it’s worth it.” She emphasizes that the path to achieving one’s ambition is rarely smooth and that taking calculated risks is essential for professional growth. “It’s wise to regularly assess risks and prepare mitigation strategies. Growth often comes from risks taken with awareness.” Rakeb also urges young professionals to prepare themselves both financially and emotionally before taking bold leaps.

Outside of work, Rakeb devotes her time to learning and practicing holistic wellness practices, such as Ayurveda and healthy living. Rakeb is deeply grateful for Life itself! With all its joys, challenges, and lessons. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” She reaffirms. “I am grateful to everything that life offers, even the hardships as it shapes what I become.”

At the heart of Rakeb’s journey, from a curious girl racing with her brothers to a global human rights leader, is one fearless principle: Growth is born from transforming challenges into opportunities and taking risks with awareness.

AWiB Thanks Rakeb, for carving out time for this interview.

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