About Me:
My name is Zekarias. I am a 21-year-old Ethiopian born and raised in Addis Ababa, where I attended school through college. I grew up in a diversified environment. I love reading, music, watching movies, & travel. I also love learning about new cultures and new languages. As I have learned about new cultures, I have become increasingly interested in the issues facing young people. My activist work began in elementary school, although I did not realize this until I was much older. During my high school and college years I become very involved in sexual reproductive health, HIV/AIDS prevention & related issues and environmental protection. Since then, I am working voluntarily in different youth development programs in collaboration with Youth Associations & Networks, NGOs, AAHAPCO, UNICEF, UNAIDS Ethiopia & community based organizations and also I attended different workshops & conferences. Some of these are Life Skills, Youth Dialogue, Participatory Youth Radio Program, Advocacy and Community Conversation. In addition, I am a resource person of Youth Transformational Leadership Program and Life Skills education etc. I also volunteer in Lambadina Youth newspaper & Speak Africa. In my participation of the newspaper I contribute an article about youth issues. Currently, I am the member of Ethiopian Youth Council for Higher Opportunities (ECHO) which is working to influence and advocate policies & programs in my homeland and internationally to support improved youth reproductive and sexual health in partnership with Advocates for Youth, Washington DC . And I also participate in local and international meetings & conferences by representing Ethiopian youths. I am really excited to have this opportunity to work with so many amazing people and organizations on the wider issues. My journey was tough. I learned a lot about myself during the coming-out process and became more confident in the person I am today. I pride myself on being a strong person and having the ability to share that strength with others. My plan consists of continuing voluntarism and fighting for rights of those who need it most. I’ll never feel completely comfortable with life, until I know that everyone is treated equally. I will fight for that all my life. I am very proud to be able to work through Ethiopian youth Council for Higher Opportunities (ECHO) to help others understand these issues & create solutions. With ECHO where I will make huge change not only in our community, but other communities as well. As youth, we are the catalyst for change in our communities. There is nothing that stops us. We can do anything-anything to make change the world a better place by standing together. Even a seemingly small effort can have a significant impact on a young person’s life I will stand up and be a role model for other youths and let them know that they have the power and control over their body and sexuality, and they should be empowered to take action to keep themselves healthy.
My name is Zekarias. I am a 21-year-old Ethiopian born and raised in Addis Ababa, where I attended school through college. I grew up in a diversified environment. I love reading, music, watching movies, & travel. I also love learning about new cultures and new languages. As I have learned about new cultures, I have become increasingly interested in the issues facing young people. My activist work began in elementary school, although I did not realize this until I was much older. During my high school and college years I become very involved in sexual reproductive health, HIV/AIDS prevention & related issues and environmental protection. Since then, I am working voluntarily in different youth development programs in collaboration with Youth Associations & Networks, NGOs, AAHAPCO, UNICEF, UNAIDS Ethiopia & community based organizations and also I attended different workshops & conferences. Some of these are Life Skills, Youth Dialogue, Participatory Youth Radio Program, Advocacy and Community Conversation. In addition, I am a resource person of Youth Transformational Leadership Program and Life Skills education etc. I also volunteer in Lambadina Youth newspaper & Speak Africa. In my participation of the newspaper I contribute an article about youth issues. Currently, I am the member of Ethiopian Youth Council for Higher Opportunities (ECHO) which is working to influence and advocate policies & programs in my homeland and internationally to support improved youth reproductive and sexual health in partnership with Advocates for Youth, Washington DC . And I also participate in local and international meetings & conferences by representing Ethiopian youths. I am really excited to have this opportunity to work with so many amazing people and organizations on the wider issues. My journey was tough. I learned a lot about myself during the coming-out process and became more confident in the person I am today. I pride myself on being a strong person and having the ability to share that strength with others. My plan consists of continuing voluntarism and fighting for rights of those who need it most. I’ll never feel completely comfortable with life, until I know that everyone is treated equally. I will fight for that all my life. I am very proud to be able to work through Ethiopian youth Council for Higher Opportunities (ECHO) to help others understand these issues & create solutions. With ECHO where I will make huge change not only in our community, but other communities as well. As youth, we are the catalyst for change in our communities. There is nothing that stops us. We can do anything-anything to make change the world a better place by standing together. Even a seemingly small effort can have a significant impact on a young person’s life I will stand up and be a role model for other youths and let them know that they have the power and control over their body and sexuality, and they should be empowered to take action to keep themselves healthy.
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Body: Month One
Mommy, I am only 8 inches long, but I have all my organs. I love the sound of
your voice. Every time I hear it, I wave my arms and legs. The sound of your
heart beat is my favorite lullaby.
Month Two
Mommy, today I learned how to suck my thumb. If you could see me, you could
definitely tell that I am a baby. I'm not big enough to survive outside my home
though. It is so nice and warm in here.
Month Three
You know what Mommy, I'm a girl !! I hope that makes you happy. I always want
you to be happy. I don't like it when you cry. You sound so sad. It makes me sad
too, and I cry with you even though you can't hear me.
Month Four
Mommy, my hair is starting to grow. It is very short and fine, but I will have a
lot of it. I spend a lot of my time exercising. I can turn my head and curl my
fingers and toes, and stretch my arms and legs. I am becoming quite good at it
too.
Month Five
You went to the doctor today. Mommy, he lied to you. He said that I'm not a
baby. I am a baby Mommy, your baby. I think and feel. Mommy, what's abortion?
Month Six
I can hear that doctor again. I don't like him. He seems cold and heartless.
Something is intruding my home. The doctor called it a needle. Mommy what is it?
It burns! Please make him stop! I can't get away from it! Mommy!! HELP me!! No .
. .
Month Seven
Mommy, I am okay. I am in GOD's arms. he is holding me. He told me about
abortion. Why didn't you want me Mommy?
Every Abortion Is Just . . .
One more heart that was stopped. Two more eyes that will never
see. Two more hands that will never touch. Two more legs that will never
run. One more mouth that will never speak.
Repost this if you have a heart and are against Abortion
By: Zekarias Menberu, Ethiopian youth Council for Higher Opportunities (ECHO), TaYA
Various nations and nationalities make Ethiopia a mosaic of various cultural varieties. This cultural asset differentiates countries from each other. Despite its power to serve as an icon for the country, all the traditional practices can not be said positive as some of such cultures can be of harmful effect.
According to the reports by the “Ethiopia Goji Limadawi Dirgitoch Aswogaji Mahber” issued last year there are some 160 harmful traditional practices (HTPs) that prevail in different parts of the country. Among such practices are female genital cutting, early marriage, abduction, tattooing, lip mutilation and the like.
Some social scientists argue against the effort of defining some traditional practices as harmful insisting that it is the way people express their cultural assets. However, it should be noted that most of the societies that are practicing this traditions are not developed in education. Also these societies are being observed falling prone to various communicable diseases including HIV/AIDS as result of the HTPs.
Though the society seems to live in harmony with the harmful practices, it is unquestionable that they would prefer to stop the practice if they realize their harm. It is known that some of the traditional practices are contributing in attracting tourists in some parts of the country; the fight against harmful aspect of these traditions should not be ignored.
Therefore, the government, non governmental organizations, and other stakeholders have the responsibility of fighting HTPs by educating the people to avoid harmful aspect their traditions and maintain the positive aspects.
By: Zekarias Menberu, Ethiopian youth Council for Higher Opportunities (ECHO), TaYA
Every one will definitely agree that family is an institution and an important unit of social structure that further extends up to a nation. Just as it is the place where human beings start their earthly life from birth, it is also the place where people get their needs like love, care, food, clothing, education, among others. It is the immediate environment where children can be equipped with all the necessary inputs before they join their society. It’s undeniable that the next environment in their life, like neighborhood and school are also important factors. Family holds a very important place.
Therefore, when we think of building capable and reasonable citizens for the future it is important to give due attention to the role being played by families. That is enabling them to have confidence to be frank about sex and related problems they face in their puberty stage. They can also enable them to freely form sexual partners and friendship without any need to resorting to the dangerous way. This will also open the best opportunity to let the youth learn that they can enjoy sexual relationship by remaining faithful to one partner, or use condoms to ensure safety of their sexual life.
It is usually believed that lack of openness in families about the matter is causing a lot of mess up to the sexual life of the youth. The youth do not enjoy freedom to have sexual relationship with opposite sex in the right way or openly. But when they are troubled by their sexual feelings, they are forced to deal with it in the secret way which endangers their overall life in various ways. When they attempt to escape family pressure, they find it safer to resort to a place where their families do not have access or do not find out. Hence, exposing them to various dangers like STDs, harmful addictions and the like. Furthermore, they may choose to spend their times of schooling for the purpose of undertaking their illicit sexual affairs.
Therefore, helping the youth to succeed in their sexual life appears to be a crucial matter in working towards ensuring the smooth and successful progress of all other activities of the society. Families should take the lion’s share of the responsibility. Unless the youth find an open environment at home, then where should they learn the necessary behavior?
Therefore, if we wish to form an open active and vibrant society, we should start the job at the family level giving due attention to the sexuality life of the youth.
(By: Zekarias Menberu, Ethiopian youth Council for Higher Opportunities (ECHO), TaYA)
In many parts of our country women play very fundamental role in the survival of the society. It is undeniable that they are the pillars of the household, the community and the society in general. They shoulder the largest portion of work load that a society.
The women discharge their commitments for the society despite a number of Harmful Traditional Practices (HTPs) that pose difficult problems on them physically and morally. These harmful practices have severe impacts on their effective contribution for the society.
Ethiopia is among the countries that account for some of the worst levels of harmful practices in the world. Most of the HTPs especially affect girls and women specifically.
Thus the social and economic costs of violence against women are enormous and have ripple effects throughout society. The problems that affect women equally affect the other sections of the community.
Among the problems that women face include domestic violence. As a result of this violence women lose their physical and psychological wellbeing. Further more they will also be economically hindered.
It is easy to estimate the impact of such harmful consequences on the entire family and the society at large.
By: Zekarias Menberu, Ethiopian youth Council for Higher Opportunities (ECHO), TaYA
University life is one of the unforgettable moments in the life of the youth. A new environment away from home, with all friends, boys and girls, from every where, universities are the places that youth never wish to miss.
Ever since high school years, students develop the curiosity for the life they spend in universities. Students long for the time they join the universities and experience the tasteful social life they experience in universities.
While all the life that raised their curiosity are there, the students face many challenges when they actually join the universities. Among the challenges include peer pressure, exposure to risky behavior like chat chewing - commonly used plant stimulant, addiction to drugs, smoking, drinking alcohol are the major ones.
All these factors in most cases may drive the students to exercise harmful activities like unsafe sexual intercourse.
During the interview conducted with medical personnel who provides reproductive health services and some university students, I have learnt that many students fall in some problems like unintended pregnancy, abortion, HIV and the like.
According to the statistics from the Ministry of Education, 21 universities are currently operational through out the country while construction of other 10 universities is under way. The intake capacity of these universities has also reached more than 100,000.
By Zekarias Menberu, Ethiopian youth Council for Higher Opportunities (ECHO), TaYA
Under the scorching sun of Shiro Meda, Rahel Yohannes speaks with vigor about the evils of stigma and discrimination to a group of people even the fasting does not deter her from speaking loud.
Rahel is married and the mother of a ten year old boy. She makes her living by sewing tapestries. Taking care of people around her and shouldering responsibilities are her day to day routines.” It has been a year and half since I started attending “Bunna Tetu” (an Amharic phrase meaning drink coffee)” she says. Since then, Rahel has gone through considerable change. She claims that more than increasing her awareness about HIV AIDS, ‘Bunna Tetu’ has inspired her to give voluntary home caring service for HIV patients in her neighborhood. She strongly believes ‘Bunna Tetu’ has been helping the people of her kebele (district) 03/04/05. She smiles ironically when she tells the story of Daniel who was once ostracized by his neighborhood for revealing his positive zero-status.
Daniel, who is in his late 30s, recalls that his neighbors used to be afraid of shaking his hand and talking to him as a result of the misconception about the transmission of HIV. Thanks God says, Rahel “We prepared our coffee ceremony in Daniel’s neighborhood and discussed the details of HIV AIDS openly and Daniel got at least his greetings back.” Rahel and Daniel look at each other with a feeling of triumph when they talk about the attitude change their neighbors have undergone towards people living with HIV.
By Zekarias Menberu, Ethiopian youth Council for Higher Opportunities (ECHO), TaYA
The largest portion of Ethiopian population is believed to be the young generation. In addition to their significant number in the country, the youth can also be agents of change and transformation in all sectors. At the same time youth are also the most vulnerable parts of the community for various problems sexual and reproductive health problems including HIV AIDS, addiction and the like.
Hence, due attention should be given for empowering the youth as competent leaders of the future. It is necessary to nurture the youth so that they can become reliable agents of success and committed, successful as well as responsible leaders.
Among others, youth can draw lessons they need in two ways: first from their peers and also from the leadership. Youth are most likely to respond when they know that their peers are doing something.
Currently youth in various parts of my homeland country are operating in clubs/associations on various issues like prevention of HIV AIDS and other reproductive health problems, harmful traditional practices, addiction, poverty, environmental protection etc.
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by Anatic09