Capacity Building

As usual to enhance the capacity of member organizations and to enable them to build strong financial system, NEWA facilitated IPSAs training from 20-24-August/2020 at WISE training hall. In the training a total of 19 (M=, F=,) participants attended. At the end of the training certificate provided for participants who have completed successfully. The objective of the training is to enable participants understand IPSAs according to the context of their organization, to acquire basic skill on the preparation of financial statement in line with IPSAS, and to address issues on local requirements, financial reporting and transactions, relations with partners.

To facilitate and conduct the training women members of political parties have been identified and selected from eligible political parties which are expected to take part in the coming election. After receiving and update the current status of political parties women members, NEWA contacted and discussed with each political party and finally agreement reached to send the list of women members with confirmation letter. Then two days training was facilitated from 16-17/February/2021 at Intercontinental Hotel in Addis Ababa. The participants were 26 female members of national level political parties.

The main objective of the training was to expand participants’ understanding of basic concepts of gender and women’s participation in politics; and introduce participants to the theory, goals, and practice of political participation with a gender lens and in the Ethiopian context. The training was also aimed at introducing participants to the new electoral reform and the issues related to inclusion of women and their interests in the reform process.

Topics such as Gender and political participation, Factors impeding the participation of women in politics, factors that contribute to the advancement of women in politics, basic principles of electoral law, constitutional rights and international and regional human rights instruments, perspectives on women’s political participation, the roles of different stakeholders in enhancing the participation of women in politics, principles and rules in relation to the electoral systems, electoral management bodies, political parties, and election campaigns, and financing were discussed and addressed.

Question and answer, brainstorming, group discussions, presentation, and experience sharing were the main methodologies of the training.

capacity building training for NEWA member organizations provided from 02-Nov-2020 to 05-Nov-2020 at Kaleb Hotel. The objective of the training is to develop the skill and capacity of participants on proposal writing, and grasp adequate knowledge on the concept of community development, conceptual framework of program and project, logical framework analysis, monitoring and evaluation. There were 27 (M=14, F=13) participants represented from member women organizations.

The objective of the training is to improve participants’ understanding of RM for organizational sustainability, develop strategies and plans for mobilizing resources to meet the resource demands of their organizations.

The training was held from 18 – 20 November, 2020 at Magnolia Hotel in Addis Ababa. A total of 27 participants (20 Female and 7 Male) drawn from member organizations including NEWA participated and successfully completed the training. The trainers facilitated the training using different participatory methodologies that take into account adult learning principles.

Topics such as What is Resource Mobilization and why we Need Resource, Conceptual Framework for RM and RM vs Fundraising, The Present Pattern of CSO Resources and The Influence of the Aid Trade, Foreign vs Local Resource Mobilization Endeavors, Approaches for Resource Mobilization, Principles of Resource Mobilization and Fund raising actors, Funding plan VS Volunteer giving in Resource Mobilizations, Resource Mobilization using internet and other online systems, Resource Mobilization Strategy and Developing RM Plan, Conducting SWOT Analysis for Resource Mobilization were covered and addressed. Presentation, Group Discussions, Discussion, Brainstorming were the main methodologies of the training.

As part of the activities of the 16 days of activism for 2020, NEWA conducted a one-day training for members of the Ethiopian Media on November 20, 2020 that was titled: Media Reporting of Gender Based Violence. GBV and media, ethical considerations of reporting GBV, and tools to use when interviewing GBV survivors were the key components of the training. The training was designed to serve as a preamble running up to the 16 days of Activism against GBV of 2020.

The overall purpose of the baseline assessment is to establish benchmark information on project indicators to set a basis for measuring project progress and success towards achieving set objective. The baseline assessment is framed to assess the existing situation of women political participation in selected political parties.

After the selection of consultant through bid process inception report was submitted by the consultant. To provide feedback and input for the consultant concerned NEWA staffs reviewed the report and provided their inputs for better improvement.
In the assessment, issues such as Affirmative Action and Quotas Capacity Building, for women political party members, Roles of key electoral players in ensure gender equality, women empowerment and women’s participation in matters that affect them, Institutional challenge and women political participation, Gender policy of inclusiveness in political parties, Perception to women political participation have been assessed and addressed.

To ensure meaningful participation of women in politics and governance NEWA is implementing a project ‘Supporting Women in political participation in Ethiopia’.

The training manual will serve as a resource document for NEWA for capacity building training on Women Political Leadership Training for female representatives from diverse political parties at National/Federal, Oromia and Benishnagul Gumuz regional states. Moreover, the manual can also be used as a reference source for partners undertaking similar interventions.

Female discussion group quarterly meeting was conducted on women land rights in five locations of Tulu Bolo, Awash Bune, Keta , Deka Guda and Soyema .

The female discussion group quarterly meeting has started with the first session of selected women from all five locations in collaboration with women and children affairs office. In these discussions, the participants are the ones who will lead the coming two quarter discussion groups in their respect project location in collaboration with the community facilitators.

Male discussion group who have taken the awareness program in two rounds selected from Woreda land administration and the five location land administration expert and farmers lead the discussion group in collaboration with the community facilitator that was assigned in their respective locations.

With the support of NEWA, 160 individuals (140 women and 20 men) with disability and living with HIV selected from members and beneficiaries for special support due to the severity of the problem they encounter as a result of their HIV status. These individuals encountered multifaceted problems due to the current global epidemic of Covid-19 in getting the necessary service in relation to HIV. Taking into account the current problem of the epidemic it has been difficult and forbidden by law to make a discussion , hence, these large number of 160 support group of individuals have been grouped in eight groups who have 20 members each. Two facilitators for each group have been assigned and these facilitators have been facilitating their respective groups four times within a month for sharing experiences on GBV, HIV, ART adherence education and other SRH issues. Two of the facilitators have independent duties in their respective groups in that while the one facilitating the discussion among the participants the other facilitator takes minutes of the discussion. The number of participants in each group is allowed only five individuals and facilitators have been meeting four times at least to reach total number of 20 individuals within their respective group within a month.

Telephone Communication has been another means of support mechanisms for those, one way or another, who had not been presented physically due to the distance of the meeting from their residents. Group facilitators have been responsible for leading the discussion, peer experience sharing, preparing monthly discussion plans, monthly reports, recording minutes of meetings and discussions as well as engaging health extension workers for extra counselling services for those who have behavioral problems in relation to either their spouse or family concerns and for any kind of issues beyond their (facilitators) knowledge. The duration of the support group is only six months, and another support group is formed for another six-month duration. However, those who couldn’t bring behavioral change would be transferred to the next term and selected group members.

Special support for 160 people with disability and living with HIV have been provided. Forming group members and strengthening the capacity of 16 facilitators had been a pivotal issue. Accordingly, different capacity building mechanisms have been rendered for the past three months during this reporting period. For mobile card and other related expenses Birr 150 has been paid monthly for the 16 facilitators.

In order to render disability and HIV related support for the above mentioned 160 support group members forming and strengthening the capacity of 16 facilitators has been a pivotal issue. Accordingly, different capacity building mechanisms have been rendered for the past three months of this project period. For mobile card and other related expenses Birr 150 has been paid monthly for the 16 facilitators.

Safe space approach has been adopted by YWCA to ensure the development and empowerment of young women and adolescent girls. With the aim of this, safe space has been established in Woreda 5 youth center. The proposed project established and created a secured and private virtual safe space which is relevant to provide SRHR information, counseling, and referral services. The virtual tool can be accessed from smartphone and computer and supported by free telephone call. The platform accommodates one to one sessions and forums. In line with this, safe space operational manual developed, and capacity building training has been given for concerned staffs. As a result of this platform, youth were able to get timely information on sexual reproductive health issues.

As part of supporting government policy and program initiatives, the sub-grantees have undertaken different activities. In this regard, the major activities include, provision of food items for those whose their livelihoods are negatively impacted by COVID-19, provision of start–up capital for income generating activities, provision and installation of water tankers for public use, provision of face masks, provision of sanitary materials like sanitizers and soaps, hair oils, cloths, shoes, supporting and rehabilitating of returnees, supporting and rehabilitation of GBV survivors.

Awareness raising program on the prevention of COVID-19 was conducted by sub grantees for target beneficiaries through different mechanisms. Significant number of community have been addressed and get aware of the pandemic. Volunteers actively participated in educating the community at public places like transport and market places. Brochures and leaflets were also prepared and disseminated to raise the level of awareness vulnerable people. The importance of using face masks, sanitizers and keeping social distancing were the main components of mass education and addressed issues.

After selecting children, women and girls from IDPs site to MLWDA safe house, all 45 children, women and girls have got comprehensive safe house services such as food and accommodation, health services, counseling service, legal aid service, and basic education. After receiving compressive safe house services, all survivors in the safe house are at good condition.
In connection with the COVID-19 outbreak and government restriction to people normal mobility and usual business; people particularly women that are engaged in various income generation activities, women with disabilities, women living with HIV virus are being seriously affected in their normal life and welfare/income worsening since disease reported and government emergency proclaimed. Therefore this activity was planned to assess and identify vulnerable people/households who economically affected as result of COVID-19 restriction to their normal business and income sources. And support direct cash transfer for total of 68 individuals/households and secure their basic needs such as food and medications and provide sanitary materials for selected poor women, persons with disability and HIV positive. To enable vulnerable women to cop up with the adverse situation 68 vulnerable people have registered; with twenty one male and forty seven female and direct cash transfer and COVID-19 prevention materials have distributed.

In connection with the COVID-19 outbreak and government restriction to people normal mobility and usual business; people particularly women that are engaged in various income generation activities, women with disabilities, women living with HIV virus are being seriously affected in their normal life and welfare/income worsening since disease reported and government emergency proclaimed. Therefore this activity was planned to assess and identify vulnerable people/households whose means of livelihood greatly affected by the negative impact of COVID-19 like restriction to their normal business and income sources. And support provided through direct cash transfer for total of 68 individuals/households and secure their basic needs such as food and medications and provide sanitary materials for selected poor women, persons with disability and HIV positive.

To build the capacity and strengthen the internal control system of member organizations, NEWA has taken the initiation and the lead to provide technical support for the development of operational manuals and policies like HR and financial manuals, safeguarding policy manual. NEWA has also provided up to date operational manuals for targeted women organizations and they were able to customize and utilize. As a result, currently targeted members organizations have their own operational manuals and installed strong internal control system.

Website is one means of selling products of the organization. It is a tool for advocacy and lobbing on a given issues which is enabler to reach millions through and it is also a means of resource mobilization. It helps to promote the organization on thematic of working and changes brought as a result in a given community. Therefore, this activity was planned so as to make members to establish website and improve their organization networking, advocacy, promotion and communications and accordingly all targeted member women organizations have their own website with the support of NEWA.

Mapping of CSOs was conducted and two new women organization identified and became member of NEWA. Currently there are twenty seven member women organizations under the umbrella of NEWA and being supported technically and financially. To achieve common objectives they have been sub granted with significant lamb sum of budget and implementing different projects. During their partnership agreement period their capacity assessed and helped to develop capacity building action plan. During the assessment major findings like external relation and media engagement, resource mobilization, inadequate number human resource and less capacity of staffs have been identified.

Additional two women organization have been identified and recruited as NEWA member. Good Samaritan is one of the newly recruited women organization and currently has got grant budget and working on rehabilitation of returnees by providing them business skill training and psychosocial support. Beza women organization the other one working on urban agriculture i.e. vegetable production and IGA from school feeding program. Technical support being provided by NEWA through recurrent supportive supervision and monitoring program.

Women and girls who are residing in the shelter house have received a dignity kit (sanitary pad, hair oil, Vaseline, soap, tooth brush and comb) and this has enabled them to keep their personal hygiene and health condition.

With the facilitation of Beza Women Training on nutrition and personal hygiene provided for 122 mothers of under-five aged children. For the next round 78 trainees are expected to attend the training. The target groups are female headed households and unemployed women. After the training completed participants are expected to form 20 groups and in one group there will be ten members. In line with this, pass book will be opened for each participant with startup capital 500.00 ETB. After the provision of working materials target beneficiaries are expected to facilitate school feeding program and generate income consistently. It is expected that the group members will earn nearly 40,000.00 ETB each month from the revenue of school feeding. The group members will be trained on business management skill.

Conducting rapid capacity assessment is essential to provide baseline data for the project, to assess the level of knowledge, skill of women members of political parties and prospective candidates on electoral process, electoral legal framework, and political leadership
TOR was developed to invite interested consultants to conduct the rapid capacity assessment. The winner consultant conducted the assessment and produced inception report and presented for NEWA team. The team has given varies inputs and comments on the proposed methodologies and tools and the final report is expected to be finalized soon.

With the aim of discussing the negative impact of COVID-19 on women’s participation in public and political life a webinar conducted on the 12th of October 2020 on a topic of ‘women’s leadership and political participation during COVID-19 in Ethiopia’ .
Representatives from political parties, civil society, Human rights commission, NEBE were the main participants of the webinar session. A total of 92 participants attended the meeting. In the meeting presentation was made on policy brief and participants reflected and recommended possible solutions to mitigate the existing problems.

With the aim of establishing and strengthen coordination among the CSOs and conduct an awareness workshop for CSO’s on Operational Planning, advocacy on women political Empowerment rapid mapping of CSO’s Conducted which focused on women political participation
Mapping of CSOs was conducted and two new women organization identified and became member of NEWA. Currently there are twenty seven member women organizations under the umbrella of NEWA and being supported technically and financially. To achieve common objectives they have been sub granted with significant lamb sum of budget and implementing different projects. During their partnership agreement period their capacity assessed and helped to develop capacity building action plan. During the assessment major findings like external relation and media engagement, resource mobilization, inadequate number human resource and less capacity of staffs have been identified.