LocationsVoices from the National Dialogue process
The voice that refused to be silent
December 26, 2025
In the quiet corners of Benishangul-Gumuz, where the Blue Nile winds through green hills and small villages, lives a woman whose determination has carried her far beyond the boundaries of her community. Her name is Adanech Asirat; a woman with a disability, but far more than that, a woman of courage, conviction, and purpose.
For many years, Adanech’s world was marked by challenges that often silenced the dreams of others in her situation. Physical barriers, social stigma, and lack of access to opportunities were part of her daily reality. Yet, she never allowed her disability to define her spirit. “If I can speak, I can contribute,” she often says; and contribute she did.
When the Ethiopian National Dialogue process began, a national effort to bring Ethiopians together to listen, heal, and shape their shared future; Adanech saw more than a political process. She saw a chance for people like her to finally be heard.
From the very beginning, she was involved in participant selection and agenda collection in her region, ensuring that voices from all walks of life, especially those with disabilities, were represented. Her insight and persistence made her a trusted advocate and a beacon for others who felt left behind.
Her journey took her to Assossa, where the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission organized a dialogue and consultation session with women and youth. The purpose was to deepen understanding of the dialogue process, encourage community ownership, and gather reflections to shape the upcoming national plenary.
In that room filled with energy and anticipation, Adanech stood out not because of her disability, but because of her clarity and conviction. She spoke passionately about how peace must be built not only through policies and meetings, but through everyday conversations that nurture trust and empathy within communities. “Dialogue must become our culture,” she said, “not just a project. When we listen to one another, we build peace that lasts.”
Those words lingered long after the session ended. For many participants, Adanech’s story became a reminder that inclusion is not a favor, it is a foundation for genuine dialogue. Her presence symbolized the very essence of what the national dialogue seeks to achieve: a table where everyone, regardless of gender, background, or ability, has a seat.
Today, Adanech continues to inspire her community as a participant of the session and the leader and representatives of her counterparts. She speaks to young women, encourages persons with disabilities to claim their space, and advocates for dialogue as a way of life. Her journey mirrors Ethiopia’s own struggle and hope, to rise above differences and to build a future grounded in understanding and respect.
Adanech’s voice, once unheard, now echoes in the halls of conversation. And through her courage, she reminds us all that real peace begins when every voice finds its place in the story of a nation.
