-----------
 

 

SHRED THE PATRIARCHY // ETHIOPIA 2025
 

As Ethiopia seeks to rebuild after years of conflict, an unexpected revolution is taking shape in the streets of Addis Ababa. Every Saturday, a group of young women gathers at the city's only skatepark, transforming it into a space of freedom and solidarity. In a society where gender inequalities have been deepened by war, the skateboard becomes a tool for self-determination. 

Leading them is Addis Girls Skaters, a collective that challenges social norms by providing girls with a safe environment to express themselves freely. 

But the revolution isn’t just for the younger generation. Burtekan, 43, is one of the women who has decided to defy prejudice by stepping onto a skateboard alongside teenagers. In a society where age and gender often define one's path, her example proves that it is never too late to rewrite your own destiny. 

Skateboarding is an emerging subculture in Ethiopia. The country's first skatepark was built in 2016 in Addis Ababa, followed by others in Hawassa and Konso, a rural village where the movement is beginning to take root—though female participation remains limited. Beyond sport, these spaces represent an opportunity for social change and sisterhood, giving women the chance to redefine their role in society 

​