Hewan Areaya

Hewan Areaya, an Ethiopian feminist activist and human rights professional, brings over six years of experience working with national and international organizations to advance the rights of marginalized groups, particularly women with disabilities, women in conflict regions, and refugees. Holding both a law degree from Addis Ababa University and a Master of Laws from the University of Wisconsin, Hewan’s career has been marked by impactful roles, including program officer at a U.S. refugee resettlement agency, where she ensured compliance with federal grant requirements, and her involvement with Women Enabled International, where she advocated for women and gender non-conforming individuals with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In Ethiopia, Hewan co-founded Siiqqee Scholars, a women’s rights initiative committed to empowering young girls through education, managing grants, training programs, and donation campaigns. Her dedication also extended to addressing period poverty by mobilizing resources to provide menstrual hygiene products for 1300 Ethiopian women and girls in conflict areas.