NEWA in partnership with UN Women, held a 3-day training on Violence Against Women in Politics and Elections (VAWiP/E)
September 1–3, 2025 | Best Western Premier Hotel, Addis Ababa – The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), in partnership with UN Women, held a 3-day training on Violence Against Women in Politics and Elections (VAWiP/E), as part of the UN Women-funded initiative “Empowerment and Representation: Advancing Political Inclusion for Women and Persons with Disabilities in Ethiopia.”
Bringing together 35 participants (31 women & 4 men) from the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), Women Rights Organizations (WROs), Organizations of Persons Organizations (OPDs), networks, and coalitions. The training aimed to deepen understanding of VAWiP/E—its forms, causes, and impacts—and foster collaborative action planning to strengthen political party practices and prevent violence.
Highlights included:
- Global & regional trends in women’s political participation
- Online violence & digital safety (META/Facebook)
- CSOs’ roles in prevention, response & advocacy
- EMB responsibilities across the electoral cycle
- Police & security sector engagement
- Political party experiences & inclusive practices
- Cross-party collaboration & sector-specific action plans
The Training was opened by Doris Mpoumou, UN Women’s Special Representative to the AU & UNECA, and concluded with remarks from Saba G/Medhin, NEWA Executive Directress.
Together, we move closer to ending violence against women in politics and building a more inclusive, democratic Ethiopia.
