Makda Asrat Dejene

Makda Asrat Dejene, a recent law graduate of Addis Ababa University, works for the International Organization for Migration (IOM). She previously worked as a public relations manager for ZTE,Ethiopia, a Chinese multinational telecom corporation. She developed and implemented the company’s corporate social responsibility projects. Some of these projects engaged female science students. Makda Asrat Dejene aspires to use her legal background and over six years’ experience in communications and media to challenge the status quo surrounding youth empowerment, sexual reproductive health and rights, women’s empowerment, and gender-based violence. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Makda plans to further her gender equality advocacy by forming a social enterprise focused on giving voice to the voiceless.