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“Cross-Regional Networking and Experience Sharing Platform” held at the Unison Hotel in Bahir Dar We are thrilled to share the highlights from our recent “Cross-Regional Networking and Experience Sharing Platform” held at the Unison Hotel in Bahir Dar, ! This landmark event brought together inspiring women leaders from the Amhara, Afar, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Tigray regions to share their journeys, celebrate successes, and tackle the challenges of building a sustainable peace together. Representatives from four regions shared firsthand experiences on community representation and the vital role of women’s rights organizations in fostering stability. Participants engaged in a deep-dive discussion to design a joint framework for future peacebuilding efforts across regional borders. In a moving recognition ceremony that also commemorated the Month of March and the global celebration of women’s contributions, certificates were presented to representatives of the four regions—Amhara, Afar, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Tigray. This special tribute honored their unwavering commitment, leadership, and resilience in the pursuit of peace and community unity, acknowledging their “unreplaceable contribution” as part of this month’s honors. We capped off the day with a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony, marking a sweet milestone in our collective journey toward harmony. The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA) remains dedicated to strengthening the role of women as the bridge-builders of our society. When women lead in peace, the whole community thrives!

NEWA, in collaboration with IDRC and Oxfam GB Ethiopia, convened a Policy Dialogue on Integrating Unpaid Care and Domestic Work (UCDW) into Gender Policy Frameworks. The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), in collaboration with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Oxfam GB Ethiopia, convened a Policy Dialogue on Integrating Unpaid Care and Domestic Work (UCDW) into Gender Policy Frameworks. Held on March 23, 2026, at Pyramid Resort in Bishoftu town, the dialogue brought together representatives from key pro-poor government sectors to strengthen policy attention to care work and its impact on women’s economic empowerment. The platform featured presentations of two research findings examining the status, challenges, and policy gaps related to unpaid care and domestic work in Ethiopia. The evidence generated rich discussions among participants on practical policy actions, implementation strategies, and opportunities to align gender policies with the realities of care responsibilities. The dialogue also served as an important space for collaboration and knowledge exchange, reinforcing institutional commitment to the recognition, reduction, and redistribution of unpaid care work within Ethiopia’s policy landscape.  

NEWA convened a consultative meeting at the Inter Luxury Hotel in Addis Ababa on March 9, 2026. The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA) convened a consultative meeting at the Inter Luxury Hotel in Addis Ababa on March 9, 2026.To emphasize the importance of a National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) in Ethiopia. This platform facilitated vital experience sharing and learning regarding the WPS agenda.The meeting brought together representatives from government institutions, including the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, as well as international NGOs, embassies, CSOs, Ethiopian women peacebuilders (EWPB), and stakeholders from different regions of Ethiopia.Participants shared national and regional experiences on what is happening on the ground, explored ways to share resources, expertise, and tools, and to improve cooperation among government institutions, CSOs, grassroots peace movements, and development partners.In recognition of International Women’s Day, the event concluded with a special session celebrating the resilience, leadership, and contributions of women peacebuilders promoting sustainable peace in their communities.

NEWA, with support from IDRC under the Scaling Care Innovation Program, is implementing the project “Coupling Unpaid Care and Domestic Work with the Local Development Agenda for Improved Care Systems in Ethiopia.” The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), with support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) under the Scaling Care Innovation Program, is implementing the project “Coupling Unpaid Care and Domestic Work with the Local Development Agenda for Improved Care Systems in Ethiopia.” The project seeks to recognize the economic value of unpaid care and domestic work, inform policymakers, and promote gender‑inclusive strategies.As part of this initiative, NEWA has organized a half‑day orientation session on gender mainstreaming with unpaid care and domestic work (UCDW) and an intersectionality approach. For participants, this orientation session provides an important platform to deepen understanding of care and domestic work, raise awareness of its economic and social significance, and strengthen their capacity to advocate for fair division of labor and reduced workloads for women. It also equips them to engage policymakers and decision‑makers more effectively, ensuring that care work is integrated into national agendas.The forum, designed to reinforce the implementation of gender mainstreaming policies and strategies, will contribute to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. The participants in this session were members of the Women’s Wing of the Political Parties’ Joint Council, and the event was held on March 7, 2026, at Inter Luxury Hotel, Addis Ababa

National Civil Society Exhibition Showcases Impact Across Ethiopia The Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council, in collaboration with the Authority for Civil Society Organizations, is hosting a landmark national exhibition at the Addis International Convention Center from March 5–7, 2026. Bringing together more than 120 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from across the country, the event highlights the vital role CSOs play in advancing social development, advocacy, and community empowerment. Among the participants, the Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA) is proudly showcasing its work on women’s rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women in Ethiopia. Organizers emphasize that the exhibition is not only a platform for visibility but also a space for collaboration, dialogue, and strengthening partnerships within Ethiopia’s civil society sector. Attendees are encouraged to seize the opportunity to connect with organizations driving change and shaping Ethiopia’s future.

NEWA convened a two-day Strategic Planning Workshop in Bishoftu NEWA, in collaboration with African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) and financial support from the Government of Ireland Irish Aid convened a two-day Strategic Planning Workshop in Bishoftu for members of the Ethiopian Women’s Peace Table (EWPT). The purpose was to strengthen EWPT’s positioning within Ethiopia’s evolving peace and security landscape, addressing internal conflicts, transitional justice, national dialogue, and regional tensions. The workshop outlined a strategic action plan, developed advocacy messages, identified allies for effective engagement and outreach, and developed strategies for engagement and outreach to national and regional platforms. As a result, EWPT now has a clear roadmap to enhance the resilience and inclusivity of peacebuilding and to ensure women’s voices remain central in Ethiopia’s justice and dialogue processes

From Invisible to Prioritized: Driving Community Action on Unpaid Care Work The Ethiopian Women Right Advocates (EWRA), in collaboration with the Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA) and Oxfam GB under the WE-CARE Phase V Project, successfully organized and facilitated a two-day training on Unpaid Care and Domestic Work (UCDW) held on February 17–18, 2026.The training brought together a diverse group of participants, including community leaders, iddir leaders, religious leaders, youth representatives, and members of various community groups. The sessions provided a structured and inclusive platform to critically examine unpaid care and domestic work as a systemic issue closely linked to gender inequality and economic injustice.Through interactive discussions, practical exercises, and collective reflection, participants strengthened their understanding of the disproportionate care burden carried by women and girls. The training also explored concrete, community-driven strategies to promote the recognition, reduction, and redistribution of unpaid care responsibilities within households and across communities.As a result, key community actors enhanced their capacity to influence social norms, mobilize collective action, and advocate for more equitable sharing of care responsibilities at the local level. This initiative contributes to building inclusive, care-responsive, and gender-equitable community systems.Care work must move from being invisible and undervalued to recognized, shared, and prioritized.

A Validation and Consultation Workshop was conducted by NEWA in partnership with CST-Ethiopia   On February 16, 2026, a Validation and Consultation Workshop was held at the Inter Luxury Hotel to examine the key challenges and opportunities for women’s leadership participation and voice in Ethiopia. The workshop was organized by the Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA) in partnership with CST-Ethiopia, bringing together a diverse group of government stakeholders, WROs, CSOs, HPR, political parties, NEBE, and advocates committed to strengthening women’s meaningful participation in leadership and decision-making spaces. Through open dialogue, shared experiences, and collective reflection, participants explored structural barriers, social norms, policy gaps, and emerging opportunities that shape women’s leadership journeys. The session opened with inspiring remarks from Mrs. Saba G/Medhin of NEWA, who emphasized the importance of collective action, evidence-based advocacy, and inclusive platforms that amplify women’s voices across all levels. The workshop provided a vital platform to validate findings, gather practical insights, and strengthen collaboration toward advancing women’s leadership and influence in Ethiopia. Together, participants reaffirmed their commitment to a future where women’s voices are not only heard but lead

NEWA Delivers Essential Hygiene and Cleaning Materials to Support Women in Detention The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, has initiated the procurement and delivery of essential hygiene and cleaning materials to detention centers to promote human, safe, and gender-responsive custodial conditions. To enhance human dignity, privacy, and well-being in detention facilities, access to sanitary and hygienic materials is essential. In response, NEWA recognized this and has supported the purchase and distribution of hygiene and sanitary supplies to four detention centers. This intervention, guided by national laws and international human rights standards, aims to strengthen hygiene and sanitation systems and ensure dignified, rights-based, and accountable services in detention centers. It reflects NEWA’s commitment to upholding the rights and well-being of persons in detention, particularly women and children, in line with national and international legal frameworks.   NEWA also demonstrates its broader commitment to human rights by supporting human rights and detention centers in creating more dignified environments that uphold the dignity, health, and rights of all persons under custody.

NEWA successfully conducted a five-day Training of Trainers on Unpaid Care and Domestic Work (UCDW) in collaboration with Oxfam GB Ethiopia From February 2- 6, 2025 NEWA successfully conducted a five-day Training of Trainers on Unpaid Care and Domestic Work (UCDW) in collaboration with Oxfam GB Ethiopia under the WE-CARE Phase V Project.The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of senior program experts and executive directors to integrate UCDW into organizational strategies and cascade this knowledge across institutions and networks- advancing women’s rights, gender equality, and inclusive development in Ethiopia.On the final day, participants were awarded Certificates of Achievement, marking their commitment to completing the five days training.Together, we continue building an enabling environment for the empowerment of Ethiopian women and girls.