Author name: NEWA

Capacity Building Training: For Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State Government Bureau on PSEA Guideline and SGBV Report Mechanisms Following the successful training in Adama, a similar capacity-building workshop on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Reporting Mechanisms was held in Addis Ababa at Harmony Hotel on January 24 and 25 for officials from the Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State Government Bureau. The training, conducted by NEWA in collaboration with the Spanish Corporation, addressed similar critical topics. It concluded successfully, with participants offering valuable insights into regional initiatives, challenges, and strategies aimed at creating safer and more equitable communities. Engaging discussions and interactive activities contributed to making the event both impactful and productive.

Capacity Building Training: For Oromia Regional State Government Bureau on PSEA Guideline and SGBV Report Mechanism On January 22 and 23, A capacity building training on “Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse (PSEA) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Reporting Mechanisms” was held in Canopy Hotel, Adama for officials from the Oromia Regional State Government Bureau. The training covered the basics of Gender, GBV, PSEA (Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse), and explored the causes of power abuse, inequalities, and gender inequalities. It covered the definitions and Standards of Conduct, the Four Pillars of Community Engagement, Prevention, Response, Management and Coordination, Response, Survivor-Centered Approaches, and Developing Action Plans for community engagement, prevention, and victim assistance. Objectives of the Training:-To increase understanding of sexual abuse and exploitation and its consequences-To advance understanding of the PSEA Principles and standards of conduct.-To increase coordination and effective reporting and referral mechanism among government sectors for GBV Prevention and response including SEA Participants actively shared insights on regional efforts, challenges, and opportunities, fostering collaboration and a shared commitment to safer, more equitable communities. The discussions and activities made the training a truly impactful and fruitful event.

NEWA and Partners Visit Newly Inaugurated Women’s Rehabilitation Center in Addis Ababa Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — On January 21, 2025, the Networks of Ethiopian Women’s Associaions (NEWA), along with its esteemed members and partners, visited the recently inaugurated “Lenegewa Women’s Rehabilitation and Skill Development Center” in Addis Ababa. This center, inaugurated by Her Excellency Mayor Adanech Abebe, is dedicated to uplifting vulnerable women through comprehensive rehabilitation and skill development programs. During the visit, Hirpasa Chala, Chairperson of the Lenegewa Women’s Rehabilitation and Skill Development Center, warmly welcomed NEWA and its members, expressing sincere gratitude for their unwavering support and shared vision. With the presence of NEWA’s Executive Director, Mrs. Saba G/Medhin, the visit highlighted a collective commitment to empowering women and emphasized the importance of future collaborations. Both parties underscored the significance of strengthening their efforts to drive impactful actions and create a brighter future for women across Ethiopia. This visit marks a significant milestone in the journey towards empowering women and fostering meaningful change. Together, NEWA and its partners are dedicated to making a lasting difference in the lives of women, providing them with opportunities for growth, development, and empowerment.

Validation Workshop on the Girls’ Manifesto with Girls Representatives, Key Stakeholders, and Partners! Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — On January 04, 2025, the Networks of Ethiopian Women’s Association (NEWA), in collaboration with the ECN project funded by Malala Fund, hosted an inclusive Validation Workshop at Sapphire Addis. The event brought together girls’ representatives, key stakeholders, and partners from various regions and city administrations across Ethiopia. The workshop aimed to validate the urgent demands and needs of Ethiopian girls, raise awareness of these issues, and present a revised manifesto to policymakers. By articulating these pressing issues, the event sought to ensure that the manifesto reflects the realities of young girls and calls for actions that drive meaningful and impactful change. Building on previous consultative sessions where girls from diverse backgrounds shared their experiences, the workshop identified crucial areas of focus, including: Access to Safe and Quality Education Safety, Security, and Protection in Schools Rights to Information and Protection Elimination of Barriers to Enrollment and Retention The workshop served as a platform to continue elevating these demands and sharing lived experiences, enriching the dialogue, and ensuring that the manifesto truly represents the voices of Ethiopian girls. By revising and articulating the manifesto, the event highlighted the importance of listening to girls’ priorities and aspirations. This significant step aims to amplify the voices of young girls, address their challenges, and drive policy reforms tailored to their needs and dreams, shaping a brighter future for Ethiopian girls’ education across the nation. Together, we are building a roadmap for a more equitable and inclusive future for girls focused on Quality Education!

Successful Completion of the 2-Day Training on Social Media Messaging & Content Creation! NEWA, in collaboration with CST Ethiopia, successfully concluded the 2-day training program held on December 30-31, 2024, at Sapphire Addis Hotel, Addis Ababa. This event brought together Communication Officers and social media Officers from various women-led and rights-based organizations, all with the shared goal of strengthening their capacity to navigate the digital landscape effectively and amplify their advocacy efforts. By focusing on Cyber Security for Social Media Platforms and Content Creation for Advocacy and Organizational Visibility today, Participants gained essential skills to strengthen their online safety measures and develop compelling content that effectively communicates their advocacy goals. Together, we are laying the foundation for a brighter future—one message, one story, and one voice at a time.

Ethiopian Young Women Voice (EYWV), with the support of NEWA and the She Leads project, received digital literacy training. On December 26 and 27, 2024, Ethiopian Young Women Voice (EYWV), with the support of NEWA and the She Leads project, received digital literacy training. This two-day workshop was designed to empower EYWV members by equipping them with essential knowledge and skills in digital technology. During the session, participants created social media pages and learned how to establish a strong online presence. They also updated their social media safety protocols, learning how to safeguard themselves from cyber risks. Additionally, they learned how to target audiences for their advocacy efforts and create impactful posts.   Continuing their digital literacy journey, the training emphasized content creation and hands-on activities, providing Ethiopian Young Women Voice members with crucial information and skills. The focus of the session included: Familiarization with new social media platforms Techniques and strategies for creating engaging and relevant digital content Practical exercises to apply the learned skills An overview of Canva for creating attractive graphics and presentations  

Empowering Women: Advocacy & Communication Skills Training The Advocacy & Communication Skills Training has successfully concluded after three transformative days! Over the last three days, December 25- 27, different Women-led organization participants delved into mastering advocacy and communication strategies, exploring practical advocacy tools to amplify their efforts, and developing inclusive approaches through all the day. The sessions featured dynamic group discussions, collaborative activities, and experience-sharing opportunities, creating a vibrant and empowering learning environment. Fun and engaging activities added energy and excitement, making the training both impactful and enjoyable. Participants also made meaningful commitments to apply their learning and drive advocacy efforts for inclusive change. This three-day training has laid a strong foundation for impactful change for more inclusive and equitable future.

NEWA Hosts Workshop to Conclude 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence On December 19, 2024, the Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), in collaboration with CST Ethiopia and FON, successfully hosted a half-day workshop at Robi Hotel, Adama, to close the 16 Days of Activism to Eliminate Gender-Based Violence. This workshop brought together government officials, civil society organizations, and experts to discuss crucial issues related to post-conflict sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Panel discussions featured representatives from the Ethiopian Women with Disability Association, the Ethiopian Women Rights Defender Center, the Ethiopian Women Peace Builders, and the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs (MoWSA). Key topics covered included the challenges of framing SGBV as a human rights issue in conflict settings, improving prosecution efforts, and addressing GBV in post-conflict areas. The event concluded with NEWA and its member organizations sharing their achievements during the 16 Days of Activism and outlining their next steps in advocacy.

NEWA held a fruitful partnership session ​ As part of the She Leads project, NEWA held a fruitful partnership session titled “Partnership Workshop with Adult-Led CSOs to Engage GYW in the Advocacy Actions” on December 17, 2024, at the Pyramid Hotel, Bishoftu. The workshop aimed to foster collaboration between adult-led Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Girls and Young Women (GYW) groups to create a unified advocacy platform. Also, the session focused on building strong connections and collaborations between adult-led CSOs and sharing experiences in leadership roles. Developing a collective advocacy effort, establishing meaningful participatory spaces for GYWs, and offering capacity building to women- and youth-led CSOs operating at the grassroots level were among the main topics of the discussion. It also provided a platform for participants from adult-led Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and She Leads consortiums to share their experiences, highlighting consortium achievements, challenges, and lessons learned. It was an inspiring and enriching learning floor for everyone who attended. Participants emphasized the importance of commitment and the need for increased resources and opportunities for GYWs groups to sustain their advocacy work. Key Recommendations and Next Steps: Create meaningful participatory spaces for GYW. Develop a collective advocacy effort. Provide capacity building for women- and youth-led CSOs at the grassroots level. Prioritize commitment from all stakeholders. Allocate more resources and opportunities to GYW groups. This workshop marks a significant step towards strengthening advocacy efforts for women and girls. NEWA is committed to continuing this collaboration to empower and support the GYWS group.

Panel Discussion with GYW, parliamentarians, and key government stakeholders On December 14, 2024, the Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), in collaboration with the She Leads Ethiopia consortium, successfully hosted a panel discussion at Pyramid Resort, Bishoftu. The event brought together girls and young women (GYW), parliamentarians, and key government stakeholders to enhance parliamentarians’ engagement in advocating for GYW’s meaningful participation in decision-making spaces. Mr. Girma Amentie, Terre des Hommes Country Director, and Mrs. Saba G/Medhin, Executive Directress of NEWA, delivered welcoming and opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of building bridges between GYW and parliament while highlighting the She Leads project’s efforts to empower young women in leadership. Mrs. Saba also acknowledged the presence of distinguished parliament representatives and government officials, calling for a serious commitment to integrating young women into policy discussions and ensuring their voices are heard and valued. Participants included representatives from the House of Peoples’ Representatives (HOPR), the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs (MoWSA), and the Ministry of Plan and Development (MoPD), who contributed valuable insights and perspectives to the discussions. Mrs. Marta Teklie (Terre des Hommes Country Coordinator – She Leads) presented the program’s achievements and challenges over the past four years. A panel discussion with representatives from GYW, parliament, and the government addressed key barriers to leadership, parliamentary engagement opportunities, and government initiatives to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and advance the national youth policy. Key points from the panel discussion included: GYW Representative: Addressed barriers to leadership and called for increased support from ministries and parliament. Parliament Representative: Shared insights on the types of parliamentary engagements available for youth and the significance of their participation in decision-making processes. Government Representative (MoWSA): Highlighted initiatives to combat GBV and efforts to advance the national youth policy, reinforcing the ministry’s commitment to empowering young women. A subsequent Q&A session fostered collaboration and mutual understanding. As an immediate outcome, the event provided a platform for GYW to engage in dialogue with law enforcement and decision-making bodies. This workshop successfully facilitated networking between GYW, parliament, and government bodies, laying a strong foundation for future collaborations and ensuring GYW voices are amplified in leadership and policy-making spaces. The insights and ideas shared during the event will play a crucial role in advancing leadership opportunities and creating a more inclusive society for young women. Action Points: Capacity Building: Strengthen GYW’s leadership and advocacy skills. Legislative Engagement: Establish regular forums for dialogue between GYW, parliamentarians, and government stakeholders. Accountability Mechanisms: Develop mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating government initiatives to combat GBV and enhance youth participation.