While the rest of the world turned red on Valentine’s Day, students from the Addis Ababa University (AAU) were turning yellow as part of an initiative to empower women. However, I don’t personally subscribe to the idea of the so called ‘Valentine’s Day’ because, it is not our culture. The idea for Yellow Movement was sparked in 2011 after two violent attacks on women at AAU. Along with the Valentine’s Day fundraiser, they also hold regular debates on campus about gender equality and share some of the experiences they face and getting help for victims. Volunteers for the Yellow Movement hope their cause can dispel stereotypes about Valentine’s Day being all about material gifts and instead teach people to love and care for each other.

Source: Ethiopian News February 15, 2017 16:41 UTC