The UK government has officially ended financial support it's been giving to Yegna girl band, Ethiopia's answer to the Spice Girls.
Yegna, which aims to enhance the role of women through music and performance, was reportedly promised £5.2m of British taxpayers' money to develop a radio drama. The band members are Teref Kassahun (nicknamed Melat, aged 26), Lemlem Haile Michael (Mimi, 26), Zebiba Girma (Emuye, 22), Eyerusalem Kelemework (Sara, 27) and Rahel Getu (Lemlem, 22). They produce videos and perform on Ethiopian radio in a weekly drama and talk show for young women, addressing issues such as forced marriage, isolation and teen pregnancies, broadcasting on Sheger FM in Addis Ababa to a population of some 20 million.
In December, International Development Secretary Priti Patel was challenged about the £5.2 million grant to the Yegna when she appeared before MPs and indicated that the programme was under review.
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| Yegna band off stage |
Yegna, which aims to enhance the role of women through music and performance, was reportedly promised £5.2m of British taxpayers' money to develop a radio drama. The band members are Teref Kassahun (nicknamed Melat, aged 26), Lemlem Haile Michael (Mimi, 26), Zebiba Girma (Emuye, 22), Eyerusalem Kelemework (Sara, 27) and Rahel Getu (Lemlem, 22). They produce videos and perform on Ethiopian radio in a weekly drama and talk show for young women, addressing issues such as forced marriage, isolation and teen pregnancies, broadcasting on Sheger FM in Addis Ababa to a population of some 20 million.
In December, International Development Secretary Priti Patel was challenged about the £5.2 million grant to the Yegna when she appeared before MPs and indicated that the programme was under review.
