Recently, Misrak Makonnen, Country Director of Amref Ethiopia, was invited to speak at two impactful gatherings, each offering her a platform to reflect on her personal leadership journey and to spotlight Amref’s ongoing work in community health and gender empowerment. At the ‘Leading in Heels’ event, Misrak shared candid reflections on navigating gender bias in the workplace and underscored the importance of shifting mindsets to create a more equitable future for women leaders.
“It’s important for our daughters to understand that there is a social construct that isn’t always enabling, but how do we overcome it from the beginning? We have to make sure that when it comes to our daughters, we say, ‘You can do this.’ We have to respectfully ask for what we want. Ask the right questions. Ask the wrong questions. Make sure our voice is heard.”
Through her leadership at Amref, Misrak continues to create pathways for young women to rise, reminding all women, whether mothers, professionals, or community leaders to be bold, keep moving forward, and not let bias occupy their mental space.
At the AWiB Ethiopia SHE RISES event, which explored what it means for women to truly have a seat at the table, Misrak reflected on her career in global health leadership. Rather than focusing solely on the symbolic seat, she emphasised her deeper commitment to passion, purpose, and continuous learning.
“For me, it was about getting ready to do the work I love, the work I’m passionate about, and being successful enough in my skills and knowledge for others to call on me.”
At Amref Ethiopia, we lead with purpose and remain committed to uplifting women’s voices and leadership roles through community-driven health initiatives. Even at the community level, we strive to include women’s perspectives. We listen to them, gather their feedback, and have launched leadership programmes at the woreda level. To date, these efforts have engaged thousands of women in communities.
The two speaking engagements are more than moments of inspiration; they are also strategic opportunities for our leaders to shape narratives around inclusive leadership and the value of Amref’s initiatives. By sharing our insights on both personal and organisational journeys, we continue to build Amref’s visibility as a leading health development partner, especially in areas that target women and youth, and strengthen our position as a partner of choice for like-minded collaborators bringing lasting change in Ethiopia.