Author name: NEWA

Ethiopian Girls Manifesto Launched and Handover at Landmark Event in Addis Ababa Addis Ababa, Ethiopia -October 21, 2025 – In a landmark event held at the Skylight Hotel, the Ethiopian Girls Manifesto is officially launched and handed over to key national stakeholders, marking a significant step forward in the promotion of girls’ rights and advancing girls education in Ethiopia. The event brought together regional and national girls representatives, government officials, civil society organizations, youth representatives, development partners, and members of the media to witness the unveiling of the Manifesto an advocacy document developed by girls, for all Ethiopia girls. The Manifesto captures the voices, aspirations, and demands of Ethiopian girls from diverse backgrounds, calling for actionable commitments in areas such as education, health, safety and protection, and leadership. The development of the Ethiopian Girls Manifesto was a participatory process that involved consultations with girls from all regions of Ethiopia. Through focus group discussions and workshops, the girls shared their experiences and call for action to change, which were synthesized into a unified declaration of rights and demands. The official handover of the Manifesto to representatives from the Ministry of Education (MOE) Ministry of Women and Social Affairs (MOWSA), House of People Representative and other relevant bodies, a call to action for the government and all stakeholders to implement policies and programs that address the needs and priorities identified by girls. This initiative was organized by Network of Ethiopian Women Associations (NEWA) supported by Malala-Fund, who reaffirmed their commitment to working alongside Ethiopian girls to ensure their voices continue to shape national and local agendas. The event concluded with the screening of documentaries, testimonials from young girls, and presentations, followed by the official launch of the Manifesto by the Ministry of Education (MoE), the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs (MoWSA), and the House of People’s Representatives (HPR). The ceremony ended with the dissemination of the document, outlining the path forward for girls’ education in Ethiopia.

A proud moment for NEWA! The UN, African Union, and the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security have recognized NEWA’s peacebuilding works-highlighting the establishment of the Ethiopian Women Peacebuilders (EWPB) initiative and the implementation of Coffee for Peace initiatives, during the Africa Presidential 25th Anniversary of WPS event in Namibia. It’s been a short memory that AU publicized NEWA’s work on ‘She stands for peace’publication recently.We’re deeply honored by this recognition and remain committed to empowering women in the Peace amd Security Space and contributing for the advancement of peace across Ethiopia

NEWA and UN Women Launch Cascading Training to Combat Violence Against Women in Politics Adama, Ethiopia — October 10, 2025The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), in collaboration with UN Women, has taken a significant step toward strengthening inclusive governance through targeted training on Violence Against Women in Politics and Elections (VAWiP/E). As part of the UN Women-funded initiative “Empowerment and Representation: Advancing Political Inclusion for Women and Persons with Disabilities in Ethiopia,” NEWA conducted a foundational three-day training from September 1–3, designed to be cascaded nationwide. The first cascading session was held on October 9–10 at Robi Hotel in Adama, engaging 35 women politicians from the Addis Ababa Political Parties Joint Council Women’s Wing. The training aimed to: Enhance awareness and institutional responsiveness to VAWiP/E Equip women politicians with tools to identify, prevent, and respond to violence Document hate speech and online abuse targeting women in political spaces Share evidence with Meta/Facebook to promote digital accountability Strengthen advocacy and protection mechanisms Foster peer learning and collective action Key topics included: Gender equality and inclusive governance UN Women’s global VAWiP/E training framework Online violence and digital safety strategies Electoral Management Bodies’ roles across the electoral cycle Police and security sector responsibilities in prevention Political party policies, inclusive cultures, and cross-party collaboration Development of participant-led action plans This initiative marks a critical effort to safeguard women’s political participation and promote a more equitable democratic process in Ethiopia

NEWA Conducts Training on Transformative Leadership and Gender Equality! NEWA has successfully organized a three-day capacity-building training on “Transformative Leadership and Gender Equality” with the generous financial support of CST Ethiopia. The training took place from 02–04 October 2025 at Adulala Resort, Bishoftu and brought together 23 participants (18 women, 5 men, and 4 persons with disabilities), including management team members from various women’s rights organizations. The training aimed to enhance participants’ knowledge, skills, and leadership capacity in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. Throughout the three days, participants engaged in interactive sessions that covered a range of topics, including leadership and management fundamentals, productivity and development, gender equality and equity, intersectionality in practice, and organizational leadership and internal practices.The session also explored practical strategies for mainstreaming gender and empowering women within women’s rights organizations to ensure gender equality, equity, and inclusion.NEWA sincerely appreciates CST Ethiopia for its valuable partnership and support, and extends heartfelt thanks to all participants for their active engagement and commitment. Together, we continue to foster transformative leadership that drives lasting progress toward gender equality and inclusive development.

A Big Step Forward for EYWV! Following the She Leads Project Closure and Girls & Young Women Program, NEWA hosted the EYWV Next Action for Sustainability Consultation Meeting at Sapphire Addis Hotel on On September 24, 2025.This gathering marked a turning point for the Ethiopian Young Women Voice (EYWV), bringing together passionate young leaders to shape the movement’s future.The day opened with inspiring remarks from Ms. Soliana Tilahun, former EYWV President and board member, followed by an enriching experience-sharing session from Ms. Ilham Mohammed, current EYWV President, who reflected on her journey to Geneva Dived into: Reviewing the EYWV By-Law Exploring sustainability strategies Group work on designing a clear action plan with responsibilities Drafting a concept note for donor engagement This consultation was more than just a meeting, it was a commitment to continue amplifying the voices of girls and young women and ensure the sustainability of the movement beyond She Leads.Together, we are not closing a chapter, but shaping the next one with stronger voices, clearer vision, and sustainable action.

Celebrating the She Leads Journey! On September 23, 2025, NEWA, has proudly hosted the Closure Program of the “She Leads” Project at the Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa. For the past five years, under the project “Enhancing Girls and Young Women (GYW),” NEWA has worked to strengthen the collective voice and action of girls and young women, supporting their meaningful participation in both formal and informal institutions, influencing decision-making spaces, and advancing their rights. The program opened with a warm welcoming remark by Ms. Ilham Mohammed, President of EYWV, followed by an inspiring speech from Ms. Mistir Alebachew, Program Manager of NEWA, who highlighted the remarkable journey of She Leads, the resilience of young women leading the movement, and the responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that the momentum continues beyond the project. A powerful keynote address was then delivered by Ms. Mahlet Amare, delegate of MoWSA, alongside Mr. Girma Amneta, TDH-NL Country Director. The event brought together the Ethiopian Young Women Voice (EYWV), Government Officials, partners, House of People Representatives, Child Parliamentarians, NEWA members, Youth-led CSOs, Partners, Donors and key stakeholders to celebrate the project’s achievements and reaffirm their collective commitment to sustaining the movement of girls and young women.  Highlights of the day included:  A presentation on the five-year journey of EYWV showcasing opportunities, achievements, and challenges. An engaging Q&A session with participants. A thought-provoking panel discussion on “Opportunities and Challenges in Advancing EYWV Sustainability” was held, featuring representatives from the Ministry of Education, the HPR Women’s Caucus, EYWV delegates, and CSO representatives as panelists. The discussion explored the opportunities available for girls and young women, while EYWV delegates shared the threats and challenges they faced throughout their journey. An inspiring intergenerational dialogue — creating a space for experience-sharing and leadership lessons between youth and senior experts in leadership, media engagement, communication, and human rights advocacy, bridging understanding across generations. The program concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Girma Amneta and Ms. Mistir Alebachew, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring that the voices of girls and young women remain strong and influential. Though the She Leads Project has formally closed, its legacy lives on, in every empowered voice, in every leadership lesson shared, and in every bold step that girls and young women in Ethiopia will continue to take.

NEWA successfully provided a two-days Capacity Building Training on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) NEWA successfully provided a two-days Capacity Building Training on September 18-19, 2025 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) to Media Professionals at Mado Hotel, Addis Ababa. The training focused on ethical, accurate, and impactful reporting on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV). This capacity building training is part of the project titled ‘’Building Localization and Resilience for the Women’s Peace and Security Agenda’’ with support from ACCORD.

NEWA in partnership with UN Women, held a 3-day training on Violence Against Women in Politics and Elections (VAWiP/E) September 1–3, 2025 | Best Western Premier Hotel, Addis Ababa – The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), in partnership with UN Women, held a 3-day training on Violence Against Women in Politics and Elections (VAWiP/E), as part of the UN Women-funded initiative “Empowerment and Representation: Advancing Political Inclusion for Women and Persons with Disabilities in Ethiopia.” Bringing together 35 participants (31 women & 4 men) from the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), Women Rights Organizations (WROs), Organizations of Persons Organizations (OPDs), networks, and coalitions. The training aimed to deepen understanding of VAWiP/E—its forms, causes, and impacts—and foster collaborative action planning to strengthen political party practices and prevent violence.Highlights included: Global & regional trends in women’s political participation Online violence & digital safety (META/Facebook) CSOs’ roles in prevention, response & advocacy EMB responsibilities across the electoral cycle Police & security sector engagement Political party experiences & inclusive practices Cross-party collaboration & sector-specific action plans The Training was opened by Doris Mpoumou, UN Women’s Special Representative to the AU & UNECA, and concluded with remarks from Saba G/Medhin, NEWA Executive Directress.Together, we move closer to ending violence against women in politics and building a more inclusive, democratic Ethiopia.

In partnership with Oxfam GB Ethiopia, NEWA has held a two-day Capacity Building Training In a strategic effort to elevate gender-responsive programming, the Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), in collaboration with Oxfam GB Ethiopia, hosted a two-day Capacity Building Training from August 28–29, 2025, at Yatu International Hotel in Bishoftu. The workshop convened 33 participants—21 women and 12 men—drawn from NEWA staff and partner organizations. The focus was Unpaid Care and Domestic Work (UCDW), a critical yet often overlooked pillar of socio-economic development. Through interactive sessions, participants explored the systemic impact of care work and developed actionable strategies to ensure it is recognized, reduced, and redistributed. By strengthening the knowledge and skills of NEWA staff and partners, we are paving the way for gender-responsive programs and stronger advocacy that value care work as central to equality and development.

NEWA, with support from UNICEF, organized a two-day capacity building training (on “Monitoring, Evaluation and Documentation of Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Programs.” BISHOFTU, August 27, 2025 — The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), with support from UNICEF, successfully conducted a two-day capacity building training focused on Monitoring, Evaluation, and Documentation of Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Programs. Held from August 26–27 at Bishoftu, the training brought together 38 participants—including 23 women and 15 men—from NEWA and its member organizations. The sessions were designed to deepen participants’ understanding of MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning) within the SBCC framework and equip them with practical tools to enhance program effectiveness. Key topics included: Defining MEL in the SBCC context Mapping inputs to impacts through logical frameworks Developing SMART indicators tailored to SBCC goals Applying Theory of Change and Results Frameworks Identifying reliable data sources and conducting Data Quality Assessments (DQA) Designing comprehensive MEL plans Documenting lessons learned and success stories By the conclusion of the training, participants had strengthened their capacity to monitor, evaluate, and document SBCC interventions with greater precision and insight. NEWA’s Program Coordinator urged attendees to actively apply their new skills and share best practices across their respective organizations to amplify impact and foster a culture of learning.This initiative reflects NEWA’s ongoing commitment to evidence-based programming and gender-responsive development.