This report details the launch event for the Ethiopian Women Researchers Network (EWNET). The event took place on 6 February 2025 from 9.00 a.m.–2.30 p.m. at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa. It was organized by the Peace Research Facility (PRF) of the Rift Valley Institute (RVI), with generous support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). This report covers the launch event, which consists of four main parts.

Part 1 includes a welcoming and opening session, with a greeting delivered by Dr Semir Yusuf from the RVI, followed by opening remarks presented by Chiara Galletti from the British embassy. Bringing Part 1 to a close, Dr Mulumebet Zenebe from Addis Ababa University (AAU) gave a keynote speech. Part 2 consists of a presentation by Dr Firehiwot Sintayehu, an Assistant Professor of Political Science at AAU. Part 3 focuses on live testimonies: the lived experiences of women researchers in Ethiopia. This includes remarks given by Dr Muna Abubeker Ibrahim, Assistant Professor of Linguistics at AAU, Dr Weynishet Girma, Assistant Professor of Special Needs and a disability rights activist, Marshet Tefera, PhD candidate in Development Studies at AAU and Samrawit Tassew, policy and communications consultant. In Part 4, Dr Netsanet Gebremichael, the principal lead of EWNET, led the session on formally introducing the network.

The presentation, live testimonials and official launch were each followed by both question-and-answer sessions and open discussion sessions, allowing the audience to reflect and share feedback throughout the day. The EWNET launch event was concluded by Dr Netsanet, who gave closing remarks and thanked the presenters, participants and everyone else who contributed to the success of the event.

The Ethiopian Women Researchers Network

This report was produced by the Ethiopian Women Researchers Network within the Peace Research Facility. EWNET is dedicated to creating a vibrant and supportive network for Ethiopian women researchers in the social sciences and humanities. EWNET uses platforms such as podcasts and seminar series to disseminate and amplify the voices, work and research journeys of Ethiopian women researchers.