April 2025

NEWA, in collaboration with Spanish Development Cooperation, successfully conducted a training on financial management for WROs NEWA, in collaboration with Spanish Development Cooperation, successfully conducted a two-day training on financial management for WROs from April 4–5, 2025, at Mado Hotel, Addis Ababa. The primary goal of this training was to enhance the financial management capabilities of WROs, thereby ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting. Participants were equipped with essential tools and knowledge to promote transparency, sustainability, and effective resource management in advancing gender equality. The training commenced with welcoming remarks from Mrs. Yididya Abebe, Program Coordinator at NEWA, who underscored the critical role of sound financial management in fostering organizational accountability and long-term impact. A total of 27 participants attended the training, including 23 women and 4 men, with 12 representatives from regional WROs. The sessions addressed a range of important topics, including  fundamental financial management for NGOs, financial management tools, grant management, internal controls, the IPSAS framework and compliance, challenges in implementing IPSAS, common cost allocation methods, risks of noncompliance and mitigation strategies, as well as Peachtree Demo.   The training was designed to be engaging and participatory, , incorporating group activities, experience sharing, and practical exercises. Additionally, NEWA established a networking platform to facilitate ongoing collaboration and the exchange of experiences and resources among participants and trainers. At the conclusion of the training, participants provided feedback through Mentimeter, which indicated a successful and impactful session. Ms. Mahider Mekuannent, GBV Officer at NEWA, commended participants for their dedication and active engagement. She emphasized the importance of continued learning to strengthen financial systems and encouraged participants to disseminate the knowledge gained with colleagues who were unable to attend and to translate it into practical application. Through this initiative, NEWA continues to strengthen the financial systems of Women’s Rights Organizations, , thereby contributing meaningfully to the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the promotion of gender equality.

Measuring and Valuing the Contribution of Unpaid Care and Domestic Work (UCDW) in National Economy (GDP) for an Improved Care Economy in Ethiopia’ A project titled “Coupling Unpaid Care Domestic Work with Local Development Agenda for Improved Care Systems in Ethiopia” is being implemented by the Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA) with financial support from the International Development Research Center (IDRC). As part of its efforts to enhance Ethiopia’s care economy, the project has initiated two studies: measuring and valuing the Contribution unpaid care and domestic work (UCDW) in national economy (GDP) and conducting implementation research on the national gender mainstreaming guidelines. The research titled “Measuring and Valuing the Contribution of Unpaid Care and Domestic Work (UCDW) to the National Economy (GDP) for an Improved Care Economy in Ethiopia” focuses on estimating the monetary value of unpaid work using two widely accepted methods: the replacement cost method and the opportunity cost method. These methods are used based on detailed data from the Ethiopian Time Use Survey (TUS, 2013) to categorize specific unpaid activities—referred to as extended System of National Accounts (SNA) activities—and wage information derived from the 2022 Ethiopian Employment and Unemployment Survey (EUES). The replacement cost method, calculates the cost of hiring someone to perform these unpaid tasks, reflecting their economic value in market terms. Based on this method, the estimated annual wage value of unpaid domestic work, care, and community services in Ethiopia amounts to ETB 1,039.23 billion, representing 16.8% of the 2022 GDP. The opportunity cost method, on the other hand emphasizes the economic trade-offs faced by individuals, who disproportionately shoulder unpaid work responsibilities. Based on this method, the estimated annual wage value of unpaid domestic work, care, and community services at ETB 1,394.88 billion, representing 22.6% of the 2022 GDP. These findings challenge conventional economic frameworks that exclude unpaid labor from GDP measurements, perpetuating its invisibility in national policy discourse. They underscore the critical economic and social value of UCDW, highlighting its foundational role in sustaining households and broader economic systems. Recognizing UCDW as a legitimate economic activity presents Ethiopia with an opportunity to address long-standing gaps in social protection, labor policy, and economic planning. On April 4, 2025, at Harmony Hotel in Addis Ababa, a validation workshop for the research was held, attended by state minister delegates from MoWSA, representatives of other implementing ministries, CSOs, and invited government and international non-governmental organizations.

NEWA Empowers Young Girls Through Resource Mobilization Training The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Association (NEWA), through She-Leads Project, successfully conducted a two-day training on Resource Mobilization, Proposal Writing, and Reporting for members of the Ethiopian Young Women Volunteers (EYWV) on March 28–29, 2025. Held at Azzeman Hotel, the training aimed to equip young girls with critical skills to advocate effectively and drive impactful change. Day 1 focused on foundational knowledge, offering an introduction to resource mobilization and strategic approaches. Participants learned the art of crafting compelling proposals and collaborated in groups to draft their ideas, receiving live feedback from trainers. Day 2 brought practical applications into the spotlight, allowing the participants to enhance their skills further. The training wrapped up with a session of reflections and a post-test, signaling not merely the conclusion of an event, but the beginning of a transformative journey. Empowered and equipped, the young girl advocates are now ready to mobilize resources and ignite meaningful change in their communities!