Held in Addis Ababa on 20 March 2017 and attended by HE Alemitu Ubongo, the state minister of women and children’s affairs of Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Girls Awards highlighted and rewarded the remarkable efforts of individuals, groups, communities and institutions that contribute to education, health and welfare for girls.

In addition to Yegna, five outstanding individuals and institutions were also awarded prizes: activist and scientist Bogaletch Gebre of KMG Ethiopia, IT prodigy Betelhem Dessie, the Yellow Movement of Addis Ababa University, the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association and disabilities campaigner Yetnebersh Nigussie.

The awards were run by Wings Education and Media, an organisation focusing on children’s education, media and entertainment, in partnership with Unicef, ChildFund Ethiopia, SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia, the Mosaic Hotel and Daric.