Diaspora African Women’s Network

By Semhar Araia


I came across a headline today on the internet which pretty much sums up my problem with our current approach to International Women’s Day.  It read:  “A Day For Women”.   

As I looked for more, I found endless statements, press releases and speeches of women’s rights not yet achieved, or coverage that either highlighted the ongoing suffering and violence against women.  I also found laudable attempts for recognizing women’s triumphs and sources of inspiration, like The Guardian’s great list of the Top 100 women and Newsweek & Daily Beast’ 150 Women Who Shake The World list.

Well what does it mean to have a “Day for Women”? If that’s all we can come up with for one day, what does that say about the other 364 days when the rest of the world returns to their normal activities?  Can my gender’s accomplishments really be embodied and recognized in one day or in a list of names? 

The obvious answer is no.

International Women’s Day is today and every day.

Millions of women and girls around the world overcome unimaginable challenges of poverty, sexism, and injustice on a daily basis to fight for their rights.  Women are the first victims of conflict and insecurity, as evidenced by the stories of rape and gender-based violence in various parts of the world.  Yet as we've seen recently in Egypt, Cote D'Ivoire, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, these women are still strong enough to keep on fighting.  Some even manage to get an education or a a small loan to pick themselves and their families up out of poverty.

For those of us who are fortunate to live in peace, security and conflict-free environments, there are countless strides, contributions, and advancements being made at all various levels. Groups such as Solidarity for African Women’s Rights, Vital Voices, Femme Afrique Solidarite, My Sister's Keeper, Nobel Women's Initiative, Women for Women International, Women Inheritance Now Africa, Peace Women, NoWomenNoPeace and the African Women’s Development Fund are doing critical work everyday with partners throughout Africa and all over the world to advance women’s rights.  Also, the United States’ new Office for Global Women’s Issues in the State Department and the White House’s Council on Women and Girls signifies a growing trend from governments to incorporate gender justice and gender equality into their mainstream political agendas. 

Despite these success and achievements, the international community has yet to integrate notions of gender equality and justice into our everyday framework. If we are serious about putting women’s rights at the forefront of any agenda, then the language, tone and scope needs to change. And that starts with women.

As the motto of my organization, the Diaspora African Women’s Network, says, we believe that Change Starts with Women.  Women must use the great gift of fearlessness that we possess in everything we do.  We must own our stories, document them, share them and tell it to everyone we know. We must insert ourselves and lead in more conversations. We must expect more and explain to those in power how we want it done.

For real change, it requires the active participation, coordination and leadership from women and supporters of women's groups at all levels of society.  It requires diverse partnerships – not based on gender but based on equality.  It means exposure in media and on the web on a regular basis by all – through stories and narratives that show how women’s rights are everyone’s rights.

That was the first thing I learned as a child. It was my daily reality to see women pushing, owning and claiming for their independence, even when they weren’t given that power to do so.  My mother balanced a full time job, took care of the family, served as a leader in our community, and still managed to take care of herself through it all. She established her own business, met with elected US officials as a taxpaying American to seek their support for Eritrea’s thirty year struggle for independence, participated in local and national politics and still made time for my brother and I to have birthday parties, sleepovers and family visits.  She carried her voice as a woman, an African and a women’s health expert near and far.

So the sight of women, organizations, communities and leaders organized; demanding and expecting nothing short of justice and equality is exactly what the world needs to see and hear. 

To my sisters and supporters of women’s rights, expect more. Be fearless. And at all times, make yourself heard.

I will see to it that this is my mission 365 days of the year. 


Semhar Araia is the Founder and Executive Director of DAWN, the Diaspora African Women's Network.  

By Tina Musoke, Head of GirlUp Campaign and DAWNer


Three women. Three continents. Three strong examples of the potential of women and girls. 


Earlier this month I was fortunate enough to be a part of history. As the Head of Communications for the UN Foundation's Girl Up Campaign, I traveled with Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women and former President of Chile; and Kathy Calvin, the CEO of the UN Foundation, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, with the first female president of an African nation: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia.

Still recovering from its civil war, Liberia is full of opportunity and the determination to build back its country. But like in so many African countries, one thing was clear to me - and it is a belief we hold dear to in DAWN - change starts with women. 

While in Liberia, we met women from all walks of life who are redefining their role in the rebuilding of their country.  We met government ministers, senators and security officers. We met the first-ever full contingent of UN female peacekeepers. Each serve as incredible examples that Africa is practicing what it preaches and placing women in critical leadership positions to move the country forward.

For example, we met with women in their communities, in rural villages and small towns. They introduced us to a "peace hut" program-- a community court, staffed by an all-woman team of volunteers who resolve conflicts in their neighborhood ranging from child support and domestic violence to land disputes and corruption.

And on March 8th, at a stadium filled with thousands of women and girls, President Sirleaf, Dr. Bachelet and Ms. Calvin, three powerful leaders on the world scene, came together to send the message that women matter, that girls count, and that our world can only progress if we work together to keep these issues at the top of the world agenda. They brought together people from all over the country not to celebrate the day, but to celebrate the value of women.

The trip was more than an experience to me. It served as a reminder of what I already knew: that there is an entire generation of young women just like us who are ready to become future presidents, world leaders, ministers, community leaders and changemakers everywhere.    

So as we celebrate International Women's Day this month, let's think of all the women who have made an impact in our communities, our countries and our world, and let's learn from their journeys and their conviction-- that change starts with women.  

The original posting of this blog can be found here at The Source Magazine's Politics Blog Page.

January 6, 2011 - The buzz in Washington on Africa these days is growing, so I had to wonder what would happen in Hip-Hop to reflect that – musically and culturally. Please believe that with anything “Africa” I turn to my girls at the Diaspora African Women’s Network (DAWN) to make sense of my politics. So when I needed someone to give me the business about the biggest story this week – Sudan – I reached out to DAWN Founder and Executive Director, Semhar Araia. My sista specializes in conflict resolution, international law, humanitarian affairs and the development of effective advocacy and organizing strategies for Africa policymaking. Hell yeah.

Ms. Araia had this to share about Sudan in the context of Hip-Hop activism:

The first time I met Emmanuel Jal was five years ago when he came to Capitol Hill to share the release of the film “War Child”, which documented his travels from Sudan as a child.  Soft spoken and careful with his words, he shared an incredible story of his life as a child soldier, who narrowly escaped death and found his way to freedom.  Today, he’s a global superstar, rapping his way for Africa and its people and for his beloved country Sudan's quest for peace. 

What peace you ask?  Well this weekend, Sudan is set to hold a landmark referendum that will determine if the southern half of the country will break away and secede to become a new state. Just days away from this historic event, Jal debuted his new single telling the whole world that “We Want Peace” for Sudan.  From the heart of Africa to the bright lights of New York and Hollywood, Jal has called on the most influential celebrity activists to draw attention to Sudan including, Alicia Keys, George Clooney, former head of the United Nations Kofi Annan,  and Former US President Jimmy Carter.  

After a deadly 20 year war between North and the South Sudan, where two million people were killed and four million were uprooted from their homes, both sides agreed to commit to peace and let the people speak for themselves on the fate of their country. Jal was about seven years old when he suddenly found himself a victim to this – running for his life and being forced to become a child soldier.

So this weekend’s referendum is a pivotal moment for the future of Sudan and Africa. After years of insecurity, struggle, and bloodshed, the country’s 44 million residents are holding on to the hope and promise of peace but all to weary of the reality of war. This weekend, the entire world will be watching Sudan.

Will you?

By Semhar Araia

Photo By Kemi Davies