NEWA Hosts Transformative Training for Women Politicians in Oromia

The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), in collaboration with Demo Finland, successfully conducted a two-day capacity-building training in Adama from 13–14 August 2025. This training was part of the ongoing “Inclusive Women’s Political Participation in Ethiopia” initiative, which aims to amplify the voices and visibility of women in politics through targeted empowerment, inclusive communication, and strategic media engagement.

The Adama training convened 33 women politicians representing a wide spectrum of political parties across Oromia region. Participants brought diverse lived experiences, political perspectives, and regional insights creating a dynamic learning environment rooted in peer exchange and mutual support.

The training was designed to equip participants with practical skills and inclusive strategies to navigate Ethiopia’s complex political and media landscapes. Key objectives included:

• Strengthening inclusive communication practices that reflect Ethiopia’s rich social norms, cultural diversity, and political realities.
• Promoting respectful and rights-based language, with a focus on eliminating derogatory terms and stereotypes especially those targeting persons with disabilities.
• Building confident and compelling public speaking skills to influence political discourse, mobilize constituents, and foster community trust.
• Enhancing media engagement strategies to increase visibility, shape public narratives, and counter barriers to women’s representation in political media.

Participants engaged in interactive sessions and practical exercises covering:

• Principles of inclusive and audience-sensitive communication
• Techniques for impactful public speaking and message delivery
• Strategic media engagement, including interview preparation and framing political messages
• Analysis of structural and cultural barriers limiting women’s media presence in politics

Facilitators emphasized the importance of intersectionality, emotional intelligence, and contextual awareness in all forms of political communication. Participants also reflected on their own experiences with media bias, public scrutiny, and the challenges of navigating political spaces as women.