April 2026

NEWA and UNICEF Ethiopia Strengthen United Front Against FGM and Child Marriage Addis Ababa, April 8, 2026 — The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), in partnership with UNICEF Ethiopia, successfully concluded a two-day intensive project review meeting held in Addis Ababa from April 7–8, 2026. The meeting focused on accelerating efforts to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Child Marriage (CM), and Violence Against Children through strengthened collaboration and community-driven action. The event brought together women-led associations, government representatives, and development partners, serving as a strategic platform to reinforce grassroots leadership in addressing harmful traditional practices. Opening the meeting, Saba G/Medhin, Executive Director of NEWA, delivered a strong call to action, emphasizing the importance of empowering grassroots, women-led associations to lead transformative change within their communities. She highlighted the need to address resistance in regions such as Somali by engaging religious leaders, drawing on NEWA’s successful experience in the Afar region. She also expressed deep appreciation to UNICEF Ethiopia for its continued support and acknowledged the critical role of government and community structures in fostering collective impact. Zemzem Shikur, Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF Ethiopia, presented key global and national data on FGM and child marriage, along with performance indicators. She commended the efforts of NEWA and its partners and emphasized the importance of accelerating measurable progress in line with international standards. The meeting also featured a session led by Azmera Kassahun, who introduced the concept of “Positive Masculinity,” encouraging the active involvement of men and boys as allies in eliminating harmful practices. In addition, we outlined a strategic roadmap for the project’s final phase, set to conclude in October 2026, with a strong focus on expanding community-level impact through mass mobilization initiatives such as marketplace campaigns, school clubs, and community caravans, while also prioritizing the revitalization of anti-FGM structures by linking civil society organizations with traditional and religious platforms like Iddir and Eqqub. Representatives from the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending FGM, child marriage, and other harmful traditional practices. Regional delegates shared field-level experiences, highlighting both progress achieved and persistent challenges. The meeting also emphasized the importance of documenting “Most Significant Change” stories to capture community-level impact and ensure sustainability. Participants further stressed the need to integrate and support youth-led initiatives within existing government systems. Success stories from partner organizations showcased tangible progress on the ground, reinforcing confidence in ongoing efforts. To safeguard these achievements, NEWA’s finance and program teams underscored the importance of strict donor compliance and safeguarding protocols to ensure transparency, accountability, and the protection of children. The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to strengthen partnerships, scale up community engagement, and translate strategic discussions into meaningful and lasting impact.

NEWA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs and with support from the UN Trust Fund organized a one-day national sensitization workshop On April 3, 2026, the Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs and with support from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, organized a one-day national sensitization workshop on policies and strategies addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and women’s rights in conflict situations, held at Inter Luxury Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The workshop brought together over 40 participants from government institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, and women’s rights advocates to conduct a structured analysis of policy and implementation gaps, assess institutional accountability, and generate evidence-based recommendations to strengthen responses to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and women’s rights in conflict situations.Presentations from the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs and Ministry of Health highlighted progress and ongoing challenges in addressing SGBV, followed by a high-level panel discussion featuring the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs and Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association, and Association for Women’s Sanctuary and Development. The panel fostered a dynamic dialogue on policy implementation gaps, coordination challenges, and institutional accountability.Participants then engaged in focused small-group discussions on legal and policy response and service delivery systems. In the legal and policy track, discussions highlighted gaps requiring policy reform, ratification, and improved enforcement, while identifying areas where existing laws are not effectively implemented. Participants also examined practical challenges faced by institutions and proposed recommendations to strengthen the responsiveness of legal frameworks. In the service delivery track, participants assessed coordination across federal, regional, and local levels, identifying weaknesses in referral systems, multi-sector collaboration, and accountability mechanisms, as well as gaps in infrastructure, budget, institutional commitment, and service provider capacity.The workshop generated concrete, actionable recommendations to strengthen legal and institutional frameworks, improve coordination and accountability, and enhance survivor-centered services—particularly in conflict-affected areas.This national dialogue marks an important step toward strengthening collective action, improving policy implementation, and ensuring better protection for women and girls affected by violence in Ethiopia.

NEWA Convenes Multi-Stakeholder Forum to Strengthen Women’s Leadership and Participation The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), in partnership with CST Ethiopia, successfully hosted a Multi-Stakeholder Forum on March 30, 2026, at Yatu Hotel in Bishoftu. The forum brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the House of Peoples’ Representatives (HPR), the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), government institutions, partner organizations, and civil society actors. The gathering aimed to foster dialogue, share experiences, and strengthen collaboration to amplify women’s voices and promote their meaningful participation in leadership and decision-making processes.The event opened with welcoming remarks from NEWA’s Executive Director, Saba G/Medhin, who emphasized the importance of collective action in advancing gender equality and ensuring women’s representation across all levels of leadership. This was followed by a keynote address from Mrs. Kassech Abegaz, Women Empowerment Programme Manager at CST Ethiopia, who highlighted ongoing efforts and opportunities to enhance women’s empowerment in Ethiopia.A key session featured a presentation by Bilen Asrat, CEO of EthioAfric Raising Consulting Firm, who provided insights into the current status of women’s leadership and participation in decision-making in Ethiopia. Her presentation underscored both progress made and persistent gaps that require coordinated and sustained intervention.The forum also created space for partner organizations to share their experiences. Representatives from Women in Self-Employment (WISE) and the Association for Pastoralist Community for Change (APCfC) discussed practical approaches, challenges, and successes in advancing women’s leadership within their respective contexts.A panel discussion formed a central part of the program, focusing on the “Challenges and Opportunities of Women’s Meaningful Participation in Decision-Making.” The panel brought together diverse voices from government bodies, including HPR and NEBE, alongside civil society representatives. The discussion fostered a rich exchange on structural barriers, policy gaps, and actionable strategies to promote inclusive and transformative leadership. Participants actively engaged, contributing valuable perspectives and recommendations.The forum concluded with reflections on the way forward, emphasizing the need for sustained collaboration, strengthened policy advocacy, and continued capacity-building efforts to ensure women’s voices are not only heard but actively influence and shape decision-making processes at all levels.This Multi-Stakeholder Forum, organized in partnership with CST Ethiopia, marks another significant step by NEWA in its continued efforts to promote gender equality and strengthen the role of women in leadership across Ethiopia.