December 2025

EWRA, in collaboration with NEWA, hosted a convening to commemorate Human Rights Day and mark the closing of the 16 Days of Activism On December 10, 2025, EWRA, in collaboration with NEWA, hosted a convening to commemorate Human Rights Day and mark the closing of the 16 Days of Activism. The event brought together diverse stakeholders to strengthen rights-based approaches to preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV).Participants engaged in a presentation on GBV as a human rights issue, highlighting persistent challenges in prevention and response. The discussion underscored that meaningful progress against GBV requires tackling its root causes, with gender inequality at the core, and building integrated responses through partnerships with community institutions, including Idirs.From reflective dialogue to collective commitments on the “Branches of Change” Human Rights Tree, the convening reinforced our shared mission: to protect women and girls, support women human rights defenders, and advance gender equality in all spaces.Happy International Human Rights Day!

NEWA in collaboration with Tilla Association of HIV Positive Women, supported women living with HIV and survivors of SGBV with essential food supplies 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: Awareness Creation Session on the prevalence and response of GBV & Provision of food support for women living with HIV and survivors of SGBV to enhance their livelihoodsOn December 08, 2025, as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender- BAsed Violence, NEWA in collaboration with Tilla Association of HIV Positive Women, supported 62 women living with HIV and survivors of SGBV with essential food supplies.An awareness session to strengthen GBV prevention and response was also hosted. Participants shared their lived experiences and called for survivor-centered services, free legal and medical support, and expanded shelter services.NEWA’s team additionally visited the AWSAD Hawassa Shelter and donated sanitary pads to survivors — standing in solidarity and supporting their dignity and well-being.Together, we continue the movement to end GBV and uplift vulnerable women.

EWPB regional initiative in Tigray, with the support of the NEWA, conducted a two-day training on the role and active participation of women in post-war peacebuilding in Tigray As part of the Ethiopian Women Peace Builders (EWPB) regional initiative in Tigray, with the support of the Network for Ethiopian Women’s Association (NEWA) through its ‘’Building Localization and Resilience for the Women’s Peace and Security Agenda’’, a two-day training was conducted on the role and active participation of women in post-war peacebuilding in Tigray. The training engaged community women from the seven sub-cities of Mekelle.The purpose of the training was to deepen understanding of women’s leadership in sustainable peacebuilding and conflict resolution, strengthen advocacy for inclusive peace processes, and equip participants with practical tools for dialogue, reconciliation, and solidarity. By fostering networks among women peacebuilders, the initiative contributes to building a resilience and localization of women peace and security in the Tigray region.

High Level Policy Dialogue on Ending all Forms of Violence Against Women and Girls On December 05, 2025 a High Level Policy Dialogue on Ending all Forms of Violence Against Women and Girls: Advancing the AU Convention and Addressing Digital Violence was held at Hilton Hotel, Addis AbabaTheme: UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls in AfricaOpening remarks were given by representatives from stakeholders organizing the event. The opening segment hosted by Ms. Lindiwe Ngwenya, Program Specialist, UN Women Liaison office to AU and ECA gave an insight on the issue of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, providing valuable insights into its implications, challenges, and aims to raise awareness and foster solutions to combat this pressing social issue.Ms. Saba Gebremedhin, executive Director of NEWA, HE Christine Pirenne, Ambassador of Embassy of Netherlands to Ethiopia, HE Adam Drury, Ambassador of UK to the AU, Ms. Doris Mpoumou, Representative of UN Women Liaison Office to the AU and UNECA, and Mr. Zekarias Desalegn, Representative from Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, Ethiopia, CEO for women’s right protection and response, head of GBV prevention and response desk; protection cluster and GBV AOR lead shared their insights and suggestions on addressing gender-based violence in both online and offline contexts, highlighting the importance of adopting and amending the African Union convention to enhance protective measures.A Youth panel discussion spotlighting youth led solutions; apps, campaigns, and policy advocacy from across Africa addressing digital VAWG was moderated by Ms. Ethiopis Tadesse. LeonoraTima, Founder and Managing Director of GRIT and Zuzi AI Chatbot from South Africa, Omowumi Ogunrotimi, Executive Lead, Gender Mobile Initiative and ‘CampusPal’ App from Nigeria, and Sumaiyya Juma, AGCCI young Women Ambassador from Kenya presented their innovations that are set to tackle TFGBV in their respective regions. They showcased the platforms they created, highlighting their impacts and outlining future opportunities.Policy Dialogue for actionable recommendations commenced with panelists after a video message from NEWA. Rita Fortunato Baptista, Political Officer, Strategic Communication, Youth and Gender EU Delegation to the AU, Ms. Beletshachew, representative from UN Women Liaison Office to the AU and UNECA, Ms. Saba Gebremedhin, executive Director of NEWA, and Mr. Zekarias Desalegn, Representative from Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, Ethiopia, CEO for women’s right protection and response, head of GBV prevention and response desk; protection cluster and GBV AOR lead discussed various policy interventions and advocacy efforts implemented to address gender-based violence, highlighting the additional challenges posed by online violence alongside existing offline abuse. This dual burden complicates the landscape of violence, necessitating a comprehensive approach that recognizes and mitigates the impact of both forms of aggression.A closing remark was given by Ms. Karin STANGHED, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to the AU which marked an end to the event.