Drip by Drip – Episode 10: CASE STUDY ETHIOPIA w/ Tsion Bahru

In this episode, host Amira Jehia (co-founder of
Drip by Drip) speaks with Tsion Bahru, social
entrepreneur, fashion designer and founder of MISS.T.CAL
Apparel Design and Lily Pads Ethiopia.
Together, they explore the complexities of Ethiopia’s fashion and
textile sector—from sustainability and water
management, to the impact of political
instability, the stigma around
menstruation, and the everyday challenges faced by
women and girls in rural areas. While sharing a
positive outlook on the fashion sector, she offers a candid look
into the double-edged impact of growth through BRICS and foreign
investments - warning that mass production without cultural
preservation, fair wages, and ethical safeguards could harm
Ethiopia’s rich textile heritage and environmental future. Tsion
also shares the story behind the inception of Lily Pads
Ethiopia, created after realizing that many
women can’t afford disposable pads and that MHM remains
a critical challenge in rural regions. Herself and team
carefully tailor distribution to areas with WASH
infrastructure, ensuring their solution supports—not
burdens—the communities they serve.


Key topics discussed:




42% of Ethiopia's population has access to clean drinking
water despite abundant natural resources




80% of diseases in Ethiopia are linked to unsafe water
sources




The gendered burden of water collection in rural areas and
its link to school absenteeism




How Ethiopia’s removal from AGOA and political shifts have
affected its fashion economy




The creation and impact of Lily Pads: affordable, reusable
menstrual pads made from safe, certified materials and
distributed through education-focused donation campaigns




Host: ️ Amira Jehia –
Co-Founder & Managing Director of Drip by Drip
LinkedIn


Guest: ️ Tsion Bahru – Founder
& CEO, MISS.T.CAL Apparel & Lily Pads Ethiopia


Tsion is a social entrepreneur and fashion
designer based in Addis Abeba. Her work bridges
sustainable fashion, menstrual health, and gender
equality. Through MISS.T.CAL, she
promotes handmade, ethical Ethiopian textiles, and with with
Lily Pads Ethiopia, she tackles
menstrual health inequality by providing
reusable pads.
LinkedIN | IG: @miss.t.cal | @lillypads.et


Creative Production: Yared Abraham
Audio: Philipp Blömeke (Wardrobe Voices)


Supported by:


Drip by Drip: Unveiling Fashion’s Thirsty Truth wird gefördert
von Engagement Global, mit Mitteln des Bundesministeriums für
wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) und der
Berliner Landesstelle für Entwicklungszusammenarbeit.


Drip By Drip: 


dripbydrip.org | @dripbydripngo | YouTube | LinkedIn