Network for Ethiopian Women's Associations (NEWA) recently held a vital training program to empower Women's Rights Organizations (WROs)

The Network for Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA) recently held a vital training program to empower Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs) working on the frontline against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). This initiative ran alongside another training focused on equipping WROs with the knowledge and skills to directly address SGBV in their communities.

This specific training held April 18-19th at Aya Hotel in Addis Ababa, aimed to strengthen the voices of WROs by enhancing their capabilities in report writing, outcome harvesting, and project monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in the context of SGBV interventions.

The training targeted MEAL and M&E experts, project officers, coordinators, and communication specialists working within NEWA member organizations and other national WROs. By tailoring the content to their specific roles, the training ensured its direct relevance to their daily work and future performance.

The training delved into three key areas: report writing, outcome harvesting, and Result-Based Monitoring and Evaluation. Each session incorporated interactive and participatory methods to foster active engagement. Brainstorming sessions, lectures followed by Q&A, group discussions, case studies, and reflection exercises provided a dynamic learning environment. This approach allowed participants to share their experiences, discuss challenges, and analyze real-life situations, solidifying their understanding and practical skills.

By equipping WROs with these valuable tools, the training ultimately enhanced their capacity to:

• Report SGBV incidents effectively: Participants gained the ability to recognize different forms of violence and document them accurately.
• Harvest outcomes for impactful advocacy: WROs learned techniques to gather real-time data on their SGBV interventions, strengthening their advocacy efforts and influencing policy changes.
• Effectively communicate results: The training improved communication skills, allowing WROs to clearly report SGBV data and program results to stakeholders.
• This training program represents a significant step forward in NEWA’s mission to end SGBV. By empowering WROs with the ability to effectively document, advocate, and analyze their work, NEWA is building a stronger, more coordinated response to this critical issue.