Etsegenet Melkamu

Etsegenet is 24 years old. She was born in a small town in Ethopia, but to attend her primary and secondary schools she travelled with her family to multiple cities across the country. Etsegenet got her first degree in law from Hawassa University in 2022. When she was a student, she was involved in various voluntary activities, thus contributing to other young people’s careers. For example, as a student, she coordinated with young people for a year at the UNA–ET (United Nations Associations of Ethiopia), established to engage the youth in the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). She helped them to contribute and build their skills in diplomatic affairs, and has been serving the association by designing and creating activities for various projects and campaigns focused on the SDGs.

Etsegenet worked as a volunteer for a year at the Directorate of Foreign Relations at her university in Hawassa, by helping with various international relations and providing legal aid to underprivileged members of society at a center called “Mizan. Alongside this, she was able to start a youth project called “Afla” and published a private magazine of the same name, amplifying young voices on various issues. She is currently working as a legal intern at the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. In addition, she serves as an assistant host on a radio program called “What Does the Law Say” which is broadcast by “AHADU”, an influential radio station in Ethiopia which focuses on legal issues.

Above all, Etsegenet enjoys participating and working on human rights issues. Specifically, she had both the desire and drive necessary to start a movement targeting children’s rights and youth. It is her wish to see young people who are active in generating better, more transformative ideas both in Ethiopia and in Africa as a whole. She is committed to effectively complete a range of tasks for the benefit of the youth of her country and of Africa.