I am Gashanew Worku, a dedicated social worker, academician, and community advocate from Ethiopia, deeply committed to social justice, human rights, and the empowerment of marginalized groups. I completed my undergraduate studies in social work at Addis Ababa University. I then earned a master’s degree in social work from Bahir Dar University, where I focused on reaching and supporting people in need. Currently, I am a lecturer in social work at Bahir Dar University.
My research focuses on understanding youth mental health during crises, social work during conflict, gender-based violence, and social protection programs during crises. I am particularly passionate about exploring the experiences of children, boys, and adolescent women in protracted crisis situations, and how trauma impacts their resilience and access to resources. In the process, I aim to develop culturally sensitive, responsive, and evidence-based interventions that promote mental well-being and empower marginalized populations.
Research Interests
- Forced migration: Patterns, processes, decisions, and determinants
- Migration and education: post-graduation decision-making among international students
- Youth mental health during crisis
- Social work during war and conflict
- Children and women: War, educational disruptions, violence, mental health, and migration experiences
- Social protection policies