Author name: NEWA

The NEWA, in partnership with the Malala Fund, working to advance girls’ education through promoting Safe Schools Declaration (SSD). The NEWA, in partnership with the Malala Fund, working to advance girls’ education through promoting Safe Schools Declaration (SSD). As part of this initiative, NEWA conducted a one-day training on the Safe Schools Declaration and Human Rights for girls’ representatives drawn from Kelem Meda and Hote Secondary Schools in Dessie City on June 13, 2026. The training brought together girls’ representatives to enhance their understanding of safe and inclusive education, strengthen their awareness of their rights, and encourage their active participation in creating positive change within their schools and communities. The training focused on the objectives, benefits and key commitments of the Safe Schools Declaration, emphasizing the importance of protecting schools, students, and educators from the impacts of conflict and violence. Girls gained a deeper understanding of safe learning environment. In addition, the session provided comprehensive information on human rights, gender equality, and the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV). Girls explored national and international legal frameworks and policies that safeguard the rights of women and girls, including protections against discrimination, violence, and harmful practices. Discussions also highlighted the importance of girls’ leadership, participation in school clubs, and engagement in advocacy efforts to promote gender equality and educational opportunities. The training created a valuable platform for girls to share experiences, discuss challenges affecting their education, and build confidence in expressing their views.

NEWA organized a three-day Capacity Building Training on Project and Grant Management for its staff and partner organizations With the financial support of the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations organized a three-day Capacity Building Training on Project and Grant Management for its staff and partner organizations from May 20–22, 2026, at Mado Hotel. The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of NEWA and partner organizations implementing projects related to strengthening the prevention, protection, and response mechanisms for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) in conflict-affected areas. It also focused on enhancing participants’ knowledge and practical skills in project and grant management to ensure effective, accountable, and survivor-centered programming.The training brought together NEWA head office and branch office program teams, finance staff, and partner organizations working on GBV and CRSV interventions in conflict-affected areas. A total of 19 participants (15 female and 4 male) attended the training, creating a highly engaging and participatory learning environment that encouraged collaboration, peer learning, and experience sharing among participants from different regions and organizations.Key thematic areas covered during the training included project and grant cycle management, logical framework and theory of change development, proposal writing, budgeting and financial management, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL), and donor compliance requirements. The sessions also incorporated discussions on strengthening coordinated GBV and CRSV response mechanisms, improving service delivery for survivors, and enhancing institutional accountability in humanitarian and conflict settings.In addition to technical competencies, the training also focused on essential soft skills such as personal development, teamwork, communication, leadership, and problem-solving. Overall, the training was highly interactive and impactful, equipping participants with practical tools and broader professional insights to improve program quality, organizational effectiveness, and sustainable GBV and CRSV response interventions in conflict-affected communities.

Creating awareness, inspiring change, and strengthening communities! ✨ NEWA, in partnership with Oxfam in Ethiopia, is implementing the Women in Economic Empowerment and Care (WE-CARE) Phase V Project. On May 13,2026 an engaging and impactful awareness-raising workshop was successfully conducted in Dire Dawa in collaboration with the Dire Dawa Women Association. Representatives from the Dire Dawa Women Association, who previously participated in the Training of Trainers (TOT) session held in February, cascaded the training to community representatives, including Aba gada leaders and religious leaders. The session created an active platform for discussion, learning, and collective commitment toward addressing unpaid care and domestic work (UCDW) and promoting gender equality within communities. The workshop was highly interactive, insightful, and inspiring demonstrating the power of community leadership in driving sustainable social change. Most importantly, this approach ensures the sustainability of the project even beyond its implementation period, as the ownership and continuation of the initiative remain within the community itself. Together, we continue to amplify voices, challenge harmful social norms, and build more equitable and resilient communities. #WECAREProject #NEWA #Oxfam #GenderEquality #CommunityEngagement #UnpaidCareWork #SocialChange #CareEconomy #CommunityOwnership #Sustainability

Historic Alliance: Religious Leaders and NEWA Sign Solemn Covenant to End FGM, Child Marriage, and Violence Against Children ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – May 19, 2026 – In a milestone convergence for human rights and social transformation, the Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), in close partnership with UNICEF and key multi-sectoral stakeholders, successfully convened a high-level Interface Meeting with Religious Leaders today, May 19, 2026, at the Sapphire Addis Hotel. The high-stakes, one-day forum culminated in a historic breakthrough this afternoon: the formal signing of a collective covenant by prominent faith leaders, public officials, and civil society actors, pledging an unyielding commitment to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Child Marriage (CM), and all forms of violence against children across Ethiopia. Recognizing that faith leaders hold unparalleled influence in shaping community values and social norms, the meeting shifted the traditional paradigm by anchoring advocacy in core theological principles of compassion, human dignity, and protection of the vulnerable. Mobilizing Faith and FactThe event featured a series of strategic, participatory sessions designed to bridge the gap between institutional policy and community-led execution: The Lens of Compassion and Faith: Zemzem Shikur (UNICEF, Child Protection Section) delivered a compelling presentation demonstrating how religious doctrines can be powerful vehicles for child protection, re-framing the fight against FGM and Child Marriage as an expression of faith-driven empathy. A Roadmap of Grassroots Action: NEWA’s Program Coordinator detailed the network’s ongoing localized interventions, providing a blueprint for scalable, community-centered protection mechanisms. Proven Solutions from the Field: The Watch Dog Committee showcased regional best practices, proving that consistent, faith-based advocacy combined with localized surveillance can decisively disrupt harmful traditional practices. Multi-Sectoral Dialogue and the CovenantA dynamic panel discussion brought together a diverse coalition of faith leaders, government representatives, civil society organizations (CSOs), youth advocates, and women’s rights defenders. The dialogue candidly addressed the systemic challenges of altering deeply entrenched cultural norms, the absolute necessity of actively engaging men and boys in gender-transformative work, and mechanisms for strengthening joint accountability. The undeniable climax of the day was the Commitment Session. In a profound display of unity, religious leaders representing various faiths stood alongside NEWA executives to sign a binding covenant. This document serves as a public declaration that harmful practices have no basis in faith and outlines concrete actions leaders will take within their respective congregations to protect the girl child. Looking ForwardReflecting on the day’s achievements, Saba G/Medhin, Executive Director of NEWA, joined faith leaders in delivering the closing remarks, emphasizing that the signing of the covenant is not an end point, but the catalyst for a rigorous, nationwide enforcement of child protection ideals. The session concluded with an extensive media capturing event, securing video testimonies and declarations from influential religious figures to be deployed in upcoming national behavioral change campaigns.

National Validation Workshop Strengthens Safe Schools Agenda in Conflict-Affected Regions The National Validation Workshop on the Assessment of Safety and Protection in Conflict-Affected Schools, with a focus on Girls’ Risks and Vulnerabilities particularly in the Amhara and Tigray regions, was successfully conducted on May 20, 2025, at Mado Hotel in Addis Ababa. The workshop brought together participants from government ministries, regional government bureaus, INGOs, and CSOs to discuss and validate the findings and recommendations of the draft assessment report on school safety and protection in conflict-affected areas, with particular emphasis on girls’ specific risks and vulnerabilities. During the workshop, Horizon Research and Consultancy presented the key findings of the assessment, highlighting the major challenges affecting the safety, protection, and education of girls in conflict-affected schools. The workshop provided an important platform for constructive discussion, feedback, and collective reflection aimed at strengthening the assessment findings and recommendations. It also contributed to enhancing advocacy efforts to promote safe, inclusive, and protective learning environments, as well as supporting the endorsement and implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration

Ensuring diverse voices are heard! On May 7 and 8, 2026, we held a vital multi-stakeholder workshop in Assosa, Benishangul-Gumuz. The primary goal of this forum was to draft a comprehensive framework for women’s participation to ensure that diverse perspectives are actively included in the peacebuilding process. Over the course of the two-day event, stakeholders engaged in deep, meaningful discussions on several critical topics. Participants focused on raising awareness around transitional justice and post-conflict peacebuilding, while also identifying local challenges and obstacles to participation in peace processes. The dialogue addressed gaps in truth-seeking, exploring how institutions can support a potential Truth Commission, and included detailed discussions on reparations. By the end of the workshop, participants successfully collaborated on the initial framework development and carefully planned out the detailed next steps for the initiative. Sustainable peace requires inclusive voices! 🕊✨

Regional- Level Capacity Building Training on the Safe School Declaration (SSD) – Bahir Dar With the support of the Malala Fund, NEWA successfully conducted a regional-level capacity-building training on the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD) for government bureaus, women’s rights organizations (WROs), community-based organizations (CBOs), and civil society organizations (CSOs) on April 27, 2026, in the Amhara Region. The training was held at Unison Hotel in Bahir Dar. A total of 36 participants (Female: 14, Male: 22) from Dessie and Bahir Dar attended the training, which aimed to strengthen the capacity of key stakeholders to effectively implement, monitor, and advocate for the Safe Schools Declaration, ensuring safe and inclusive learning environments for all. The training was officially opened by W/ro Saba Gebremedhin, Executive Director of NEWA, who delivered meaningful opening remarks emphasizing the importance of protecting education, particularly for girls in conflict-affected settings. Throughout the sessions, participants actively shared experiences and engaged in discussions on strategies to advocate for the endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration in Ethiopia. Special emphasis was placed on the importance of collaboration and coordination among stakeholders to advance this agenda. In addition, a regional coalition group was established in the Amhara Region. The coalition consists of 15 members, including representatives from the regional government bureaus, Bahir Dar University, and various CSOs, WROs, and CBOs. The establishment of the coalition aims to strengthen coordination among stakeholders and advocate for the Ethiopian government to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration at the national level.

National- Level Capacity Building Training on the Safe School Declaration – Addis Ababa With the support of Malala Fund, NEWA successfully conducted a national-level capacity-building training on the Safe Schools Declaration for government stakeholders and civil society organizations on April 21, 2026, at Sapphire Hotel in Addis Ababa. A total of 20 (Female- 12 and Male- 8) participants attended the training, which aimed to strengthen the capacity of key stakeholders to effectively implement, monitor, and advocate for the Safe Schools Declaration ensuring safe and inclusive learning environments for all. The training was officially opened by representatives from the Ministry of Education, who delivered meaningful remarks highlighting the importance of protecting education, particularly for girls in conflict-affected settings. Throughout the sessions, participants actively shared experiences and engaged in discussions on strategies to advocate for the endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration in Ethiopia. Emphasis was placed on the importance of collaboration and coordination among stakeholders to advance this agenda. Together, we move forward in promoting safe and supportive learning environments for every girl.

NEWA concluded the second session of its Cross-Regional Networking and Experience Sharing Platform in Semera, Afar Building on the momentum of our first successful session in Bahir Dar, Amhara , the Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA) recently concluded the second session of its Cross-Regional Networking and Experience Sharing Platform in Semera, Afar on April 16, 2026.It serves as vital bridge between regions, gathering peacebuilders from Somali, Amhara, Tigray, Oromia, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Afar alongside key representatives from Regional Security and Justice Offices—including the Regional Police and Sharia Courts. By learning from one another’s successes and challenges , these diverse stakeholders engaged in insightful discussions to align institutional frameworks with community-led initiatives. This collaborative spirit focused on refining a Coordinated Mechanism to ensure that regional peacebuilding efforts are no longer isolated, but integrated into a unified national strategy that empowers every participant to return as an agent of lasting peace in their respective regions.NEWA remains committed to ensuring that the lessons learned in Bahir Dar and Semera translate into a lasting, coordinated effort for national peace.

In partnership with the Malala-Fund, NEWA supported girls in organizing an interface meeting with regional decision-makers on the Girls’ Manifesto In partnership with the Malala-Fund, NEWA supported girls in organizing an interface meeting with regional decision-makers on the Girls’ Manifesto. The event took place on April 16, 2026, at Unison Hotel in Bahir Dar, Amhara Region. The meeting aimed to strengthen girls’ ownership of the Manifesto by creating space for direct, grassroots-level dialogue, enabling them to confidently present and advocate for their priorities to regional stakeholders and decision-makers. It also served as a platform to review the implementation status of the Manifesto, assess stakeholders’ progress in fulfilling their commitments, and promote accountability and sustained engagement. A total of 35 participants (30 female and 5 male) attended the event, including representatives from the Regional Bureau of Education, Bahir Dar City Education Office, Regional Bureau of Justice, Regional Bureau of Plan and Development, Amhara Women Association, and other key stakeholders. During the meeting, girls took the lead in presenting the Manifesto and actively engaging with stakeholders. The program concluded with remarks from the Regional Bureau of Education and the Bureau of Plan and Development, who committed to taking forward the Manifesto and upholding accountability for their pledges.