Ethiopian Girl Skaters go beyond boards

Every Saturday morning in Addis Ababa, a band of Ethiopian women and girls gather in Addis Skatepark and unwittingly prove to onlookers that nothing—and no one—looks cooler than they do on a skateboard. Now and then, the girls can be seen zipping through Addis sporting traditional habesha kemis and Vans, niskat markings adorning their infectious smiles. This is Ethiopian Girl Skaters (EGS), the country’s first female-led skate group; a girls-only offshoot of the larger, storied non-profit, Ethiopia Skate. EGS was founded in 2020 by Sosina Challa, whose online flyer for free skateboarding lessons laid the groundwork for a blazing, internationally recognised collective—lauded by the Olympics committee, UNICEF, and even a Tribeca film that tells its story. 

Originally published in Dazed MENA issue 00 | Order here

Though home to many skateboarders, Ethiopian skate culture tends toward male primacy, rooted in a socially conservative setting. Before founding EGS, Sosina would loiter unassumingly in Addis’ parking lots, watching boys skate until they lent her their boards. Once she learned to ride, she began studying the forms of the skateboards themselves, and soon Sosina would build her own boards—the wheels, trucks and deck—braving sexist bullying throughout. When she joined Ethiopia Skate as one of its first female members, Sosina graduated from building boards to parks, operating within the group to erect three more skateparks in the country. Wanting to share the addictively liberating quality of the sport, Sosina began to advertise skateboarding lessons for girls on Telegram and Instagram. Each week, to her surprise, the girls cropped up in increasing batches. 

Together with her co-founder Meron, Sosina answered an unspoken call: dozens of girls across Addis came to learn the way of the board, staying for the sisterhood it kindled. “Our community was born from a simple, powerful need: to create a space where young girls could be themselves, free from limitations and expectations,” Ethiopian Girl Skaters co-founder Meron remarks. “Skateboarding became the tool to make that happen, a way for them to learn, rise up, and keep going. It’s more than just a sport; it’s a tool for finding their voice and building their confidence.

But many girls were staved off from joining; some wary of the sexist slings of rhetoric from male street-goers, others curbed by familial caution. Ethiopia plunged into a brutal civil war just weeks before the group’s initial meetups, and though Addis was largely cushioned from the carnage, resources dwindled as government funds were funnelled into the conflict, stalling infrastructural development and spurring unemployment. Looming over all these concerns was the limiting mantle of prescribed gender norms, still pervasive and rigorously policed in their home country. “Many contend with stereotypes that make them question their place in skateboarding, battling societal expectations that suggest this sport isn’t meant for them,” Meron explains. “On top of that, they sometimes experience unwanted behaviour and negative comments from male skaters, who may try to undermine their confidence or progress.”

Still, the group proliferated, opening the door for girls and young women between the ages of 5 and 25 to tap into a freeing rush that only a board beneath their feet can bring. With ardent weekly practices energised by a growing network of extraordinary girls, newcomers were welcomed and mentored through balancing techniques, mastering landings, and perfecting tricks. “We support girls by offering not just a physical space but an environment where they inspire and challenge each other,” Meron states, suggesting that the group offers far more than the promise of a new skill. “Here, girls learn to embrace failure, rise stronger, and keep pushing forward. It’s raw empowerment, plain and simple.”

The girls who gather in this shared space come from all walks of life—fashion designers, middle schoolers, med students—united by their love for their heritage and for the sport. “What sets us apart is the energy you feel the moment you step in—just real connections between girls who support each other and grow together,” Meron tells us. “From the watchful eyes of older generations to the determined looks of the girls skating, it’s about the freedom to be themselves and discover what they’re capable of, without judgement. We’re building something authentic, something that lasts.”

Since their establishment, EGS has taught over 150 women and girls to skate—but the community still grapples with the restrictive circumstances of convention. “The number of us in the group has shifted over the past year due to various reasons, such as the girls not being allowed to come when their parents find out, school commitments, and other priorities,” Meron says. “It’s a constant fluctuation, but we’re always here to support those who can join.” Another arm of the group’s challenges is their lack of resources. Access to the city’s skateparks are limited, and a shortage of gear often means that many of the girls don’t have their own skateboard or protective equipment, which can slow their progress. “Despite these obstacles, we’re committed to creating an environment where the girls feel supported and empowered. We do this by fostering a strong, united community where girls uplift each other, providing mentorship and resources whenever possible to ensure that they can continue to grow and thrive in a safe space.”

The ebb and flow of their membership belies the unstoppable, compounding support that Ethiopian Girl Skaters receives online. Their content effuses an unparalleled level of cool, drawing in thousands of followers in awe of the girls gliding through Addis and Harari with their sparkling auras and traditional kemis stopping short of their sneakers. Meron attributes their gushing reception and growing notoriety to the group’s balance, in both honouring their heritage and accommodating new ways of expression. “The key lies in blending respect for tradition with the energy of modernity,” Meron elucidates. “Our community shows that modern freedom and traditional values can come together in a way that’s powerful and inspiring.”

It’s a nostalgic, unbridled level of joy to witness. Through the dregs of broader regional conflict and the insular but suffocating constraints of gendered expectations, Ethiopia Girl Skaters has created a radical subculture for girls to safely learn, fall, and flourish despite the odds. “Our mission is clear: to create a safe space where girls discover their resilience, embrace their dreams, and realise they can conquer any challenge,” Meron affirms.“It starts here, and it extends far beyond the board.”

Originally published in Dazed MENA issue 00 | Order here

Stylist assistant PHILIP SMITH makeup artist NADIA BIRHANU KEBEDE photo assistant NEBIYU BEKELE MIDEKESSA dazed mena producer FATIMA MOURAD producer RACHEL EVANS local producer ESKINDER FASSIL