Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Semaria Negash, a 19-year-old social work student with a passion for advocacy, was raised in a progressive family that embraced her ideas and upheld the values of gender equality. Her journey into activism began when she saw a recruitment post for TaYA (formerly the Talent Youth Association) and decided to apply. After successfully passing the interview, she joined the Ethiopian Youth Councils for Higher Opportunities (ECHO), a platform where she could amplify her voice and engage in capacity-building initiatives.
TaYA introduced Semira to crucial topics such as sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), youth participation, and, most significantly, gender-based violence (GBV). The issue of GBV had a profound impact on her. "When I first began researching GBV in Ethiopia, I was shocked by the harsh realities that contrasted so strongly with the values of equality I had grown up with," Semaira recalls. Attending the Meaningful & Impactful Youth Participation (MIYP), SRH, and Advocacy training funded by UNFPA was a pivotal experience for Semaria, further deepening her understanding of GBV during her university years, where she witnessed its widespread impact firsthand.
With a determined spirit, Semira seized every opportunity to advocate for MIYP and combat GBV. This passion led her to join a young women's advocacy group, where she collaborated with other dedicated young leaders to review and push for policies that would more effectively address GBV. Through these efforts, Semira became a staunch advocate for policy change, working tirelessly to create safer communities for all. Her advocacy soon gained national recognition, culminating in her representing Ethiopian youth in Kenya, where she contributed to the development of a youth policy with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Semaria's growing commitment to advocacy opened doors for her to engage on a global stage, including the SheLeads UN cohort. This platform expanded her reach, eventually leading to an invitation to speak at the UN headquarters in New York. There, she addressed critical issues such as the importance of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in emergency settings, the widespread prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV), and the pivotal roles that governments and UN agencies must play in addressing these challenges.
Reflecting on her journey, Semaria believes that her time with TaYA’s Youth Council was the key to her empowerment and advocacy success. “The foundation I built with TaYA gave me the strength to fight for the issues I care about,” she says, acknowledging how it shaped her ability to champion the causes closest to her heart.
Today, at 23, Semaria continues her journey as an advocate and a mentor to junior ECHO members, sharing her insights and guiding them in their own paths in youth leadership and advocacy. Her experiences have deepened her commitment to supporting young advocates, particularly in advancing SRHR, addressing GBV, and promoting MIYP. Through her mentorship, Semaria empowers the next generation to carry forward her vision for a society where young voices are heard, and lasting change is made.
Through her mentorship and advocacy, Semaria is creating lasting impact, ensuring that young voices continue to be a powerful force for change in Ethiopia and beyond.
