Purple banners, prepared speeches, and panel discussions mark March 8 each year across Ethiopia as officials and activists commemorate International Women’s Day.
The observance, rooted in early twentieth-century labor movements that demanded political rights and fair wages for women, has evolved into a global platform for advancing equality. In Ethiopia, it became part of the national calendar in 1976, a year after the United Nations formally recognized the day.
Government institutions, civil society organizations, and advocacy groups now mark the occasion annually through public events, policy discussions, and campaigns focused on women’s empowerment.
For a day, women’s achievements take center stage.
But for many Ethiopian women, the annual celebration raises a persistent question: how much of the progress highlighted each March is reflected in everyday life?
While annual celebrations often highlight gains in education, employment, and political participation, advocates and researchers say deeper structural challenges remain. These include persistent gender-based violence, economic vulnerability, and gaps in institutional accountability.
Several women who spoke with The Reporter said the observance increasingly feels ceremonial rather than transformative.
Serkalem Alemu, 36, described what she sees as a widening gap between official narratives and everyday realities.
“Every year the message is the same—women are empowered, women are progressing,” she said. “But look at what is happening around us. Violence against women is still everywhere.”
Others describe a similar sentiment.
Nishan Sisayneh, who works at a beauty salon in Addis Ababa, said March 8 often feels dominated by speeches rather than solutions.
“We hear the same words every year about empowerment and equality,” she said. “But many women are still struggling with violence, harassment and economic pressure. For those women, the celebration doesn’t change much.”
According to Nishan, clients at the salon often confide in her about abusive relationships or workplace harassment but rarely pursue legal action.
“Some women feel the system will not protect them,” she said. “Others fear stigma or retaliation. So they remain silent.”
Her concerns mirror patterns highlighted by women’s rights advocates. Although awareness has grown in recent years, survivors frequently encounter barriers when seeking justice, including social stigma, limited legal support, and slow institutional responses.
Research suggests the scale of the problem remains significant.
A 2025 meta-analysis published in BMC Women’s Health, titled Gender Based Violence and Associated Factors Among Women in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, found that 51.3 percent of Ethiopian women have experienced gender-based violence at some point in their lives.
The study analyzed 19 separate research projects involving more than 23,000 participants, concluding that gender-based violence remains “a significant concern” across both urban and rural communities.
Other research points to similar patterns.
A 2024 mixed-methods study examining the experiences of internally displaced women in central Ethiopia reported that 31 percent had experienced gender-based violence, with many incidents occurring in displacement camps and involving intimate partners or family members.
The obstacles to seeking help remain substantial. Survivors often confront stigma, fear retaliation, or lack information about available services. Institutional constraints — including limited funding for support programs and concerns about confidentiality — can further discourage reporting.
In recent years, several high-profile cases of violence against women have sparked public outrage and renewed calls for accountability. However, advocates say the pursuit of justice often remains complex.
For Bereket Amanu, a third-year journalism student, concerns about accountability remain central to the conversation on women’s rights.
“We discuss women’s empowerment in seminars and on social media,” she said. “But when a woman reports violence, the system often fails her. That is what many of my peers feel.”
Bereket believes that without consistent legal enforcement, public campaigns risk losing credibility. “Justice should be at the center of women’s rights,” she said. “Not just awareness programs.”
Over the past two decades, Ethiopia has seen a steady increase in organizations focused on gender equality. Women-led non-governmental organizations, advocacy networks, and civil society groups now operate across the country, addressing issues that range from legal support and education to economic empowerment.
Some observers, however, question whether the growth of such institutions has translated into measurable improvements for women.
Bereket said the conversation surrounding women’s rights has become increasingly institutionalized, sometimes distancing it from everyday realities.
“There are many NGOs and civil society organizations working on women’s issues,” she said. “But the question is whether they are addressing the root problems or mainly organizing conferences and workshops.”
Students and young professionals, she said, increasingly examine the gap between advocacy language and tangible change.
“When we follow women’s issues, we often see campaigns and public events,” she said. “But when it comes to justice for survivors of violence or holding institutions accountable, progress seems much slower.”
Bereket also said the media has a role in shaping the public conversation beyond symbolic coverage of March 8.
“Journalists should ask difficult questions,” she said. “Otherwise the conversation remains at the level of celebration rather than reform.”
Gender-based violence in Ethiopia is also closely intertwined with the country’s recent political and humanitarian crises.
During the conflict in northern Ethiopia, which erupted in 2020 and became known as the Tigray War, investigations and medical reports documented widespread sexual violence against women.
Reports by organizations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch described incidents of rape, forced pregnancy, and other forms of abuse committed during the conflict.
Researchers and human rights groups say such patterns reflect a broader reality in many conflicts, where women’s bodies become targets of violence.
Advocates say the lack of consistent accountability for these crimes has raised concerns about persistent cycles of impunity.
Alongside legal reforms and policy initiatives, researchers say gender inequality in Ethiopia is also shaped by deeply rooted social norms.
Expectations surrounding masculinity, family authority, and social reputation can influence how communities respond to abuse. In many cases, survivors hesitate to speak publicly about violence because of the stigma and social consequences that may follow.
Studies examining the experiences of displaced women have identified stigma, gossip, and limited community support among the most significant barriers preventing survivors from seeking assistance.
Scholars and advocates say shifting such attitudes requires long-term social change — a process that extends beyond annual commemorations.
At the same time, International Women’s Day has become a widely recognized moment for celebrating women’s achievements, acknowledging areas of progress. In recent decades, Ethiopia has seen improvements in girls’ access to education, increased participation of women in public service, and broader awareness of gender equality.
Some observers, however, say that celebratory narratives can overshadow continuing challenges.
For Nishan, the difference between symbolism and everyday realities is evident. If the goal is empowerment, she believes women also need economic independence, legal protection, and social respect. “Without those things, the celebration feels incomplete.”
The symbolism of the Day remains significant for many women, offering a moment of recognition and solidarity. The broader question, observers say, is how that symbolism translates into lasting change.
Bereket said the day can still serve an important purpose if it encourages deeper reflection.
“March 8 should not just be about flowers and speeches,” she said. “It should be about asking hard questions.”
Advocates and researchers often ask why many women still continue to face violence, why legal accountability can be difficult to secure, and why policies sometimes fail to reach those most in need.
For women such as Nishan, Serkalem, and Bereket, the answers are complex. Yet their experiences highlight recurring themes in the broader national conversation on gender equality: the need for stronger institutions, greater accountability, and sustained efforts to address the social norms that shape women’s lives.
For many women, however, the measure of progress lies beyond the ceremonies — in whether daily life increasingly reflects greater safety, justice, and dignity.
