The Setaweet Story

Founded in 2014, Setaweet Movement has been a leader in the Ethiopian feminist movement space for the past twelve years, with strategic investment in building a mass-based movement that articulates Ethiopian feminisms. Setaweet problematizes deep-rooted cultures of gender-based violence through advocacy products such as the What She Wore campaign on victim-blaming, and services such as the Alegnta hotline for sexual violence survivors.

Responding to the rise in conflicts in many parts of the country, and with a strong commitment to eventual justice and accountability, the Setaweet team has documented, since 2022, the gendered impact of armed conflict, while providing trauma-healing services in conflict settings in Tigrai and Amhara regions.

As the Ethiopian office of Setaweet Movement closes in July 2026, the feminist advocacy and gender justice work of the organization will pivot to a more conducive setting for human rights work. The Setaweet Movement Story will continue, and our commitment to gender justice in Ethiopia remains unwavering.

In 2024 Setaweet marked its 10th anniversary, a decade since the movement’s inception in July 2014. The celebration at the Setaweet office brought together the community, partners, and allies who have shaped ten years of feminist organizing in Ethiopia.

The gathering honored the circles, campaigns, and conversations that grew from a single monthly meeting into a nationwide movement for gender equality and collective memory, traced across the milestone wall of projects photographed here.