Hiwot Mekuanent
Special Projects Officer
Equity & Accessibility Services and Human Rights Advisory Services
Hiwot is a legal scholar and human rights advocate specializing in disability rights, accessibility, inclusion, and equitable participation. Her work spans research, policy, and institutional initiatives that advance human rights and inclusive practice.
Since 2026, she has served as Special Projects Officer in the Human Rights and Equity Office (HREO) at Queen’s University, where she leads and supports university-wide initiatives that advance Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism (I-EDIAA) goals. Her role contributes to strategic projects across Equity and Accessibility Services and Human Rights Advisory Services to strengthen inclusive policies and practices across the university community.
Previously, she served as Director of the Disability Studies and Service Directorate at the University of Gondar, leading initiatives to create accessible and inclusive learning and working environments.
She holds a PhD in Law from Queen’s University, where her research examined the participation of persons with disabilities in Ethiopia’s law-making process, and a Master’s degree in Human Rights Law from Addis Ababa University.