A day as WHO's Ethiopia chief: one graduate's Girls Takeover
Timrhabiruk Mulugeta, a 2026 social work graduate, took the World Health Organization's top seat in Addis Ababa for a day to speak up for girls.
Addis Ababa — For one day this week, the World Health Organization's representative in Ethiopia was a young social worker. Timrhabiruk Mulugeta, who graduated this year from Addis Ababa University's School of Social Work, served as symbolic "WHO Representative for a Day" on 20 October, WHO's Ethiopia office said.
Girls Takeover
The day was part of Girls Takeover 2026, a global campaign, run in Ethiopia with Plan International Ethiopia, that puts girls and young women into leadership roles. This year's theme, #ChangeHerForecast, highlights how climate change and humanitarian crises hit girls' health, education and safety hardest. It also marked the International Day of the Girl, under the theme "End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls' Rights".
What she did
- Joined WHO's high-level meetings.
- Visited the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute with the WHO representative, joining talks on innovation, health and youth leadership.
- Sat in on preparations for the 7th Emergency Medical Teams Global Meeting, which Ethiopia is hosting.
- Spoke up for girls' rights, gender equality and youth participation.
Who she is
Through the Ethiopia ACT Project she has provided counselling, psychosocial support, livelihood help and conflict-resolution support in her community. Professor Francis Chisaka Kasolo, WHO Representative to Ethiopia, praised her commitment and enthusiasm.
Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa, 22 October 2026.
