In Ethiopia, a woman's word is accepted as truth.
The Western world may have some things to learn from Ethiopians, Norwegian researcher Marit Tolo Østebø said on Saturday night during a women's empowerment lecture.
The lecture at the Civic Media Center was followed by a benefit concert of local female-fronted bands at The Midnight Cafe & Bar.
UF humanitarian club Recurso hosted both events.
Østebø, a departmental associate at UF's Center for African Studies, has studied gender roles and women's rights in Ethiopia since 2005.
"We assume we have something to teach them, but what about the other way?" she asked her audience of about 30.
While she acknowledged the hardships Ethiopian women face, Østebø focused on the ways they maintain their voices in a patriarchal society.
Recreational parks and tourism junior Gabi O'Grady, 20, attended the event as a Recurso member.
"I thought it was interesting how you could see how different cultures face the same issues but deal with them differently," O'Grady said.
Recurso's women's empowerment director, Robbie Griffin, said the event did not portray a strictly feminist view. Both the speech and the benefit represented gender equality — men and women working together toward common interests.
Local acts Rex or Regina, The Hard Luck Society and Party Drag went onstage at The Midnight about 10 p.m.
The benefit show included a raffle for prizes such as a gift basket from Wild Iris Books, handcrafted earrings and a variety of gift certificates.
Proceeds from the raffle will benefit Girls Place, a Gainesville nonprofit organization that empowers young girls to be active in their community.
Recurso president Irene Vailikit, 22, said raising awareness through events like this is a key step in achieving change.
"I'll stand up for awareness because awareness is education and education is empowerment," she said. "If you don't know the issues exist, then you can't do anything about it."
