Regional- Level Capacity Building Training on the Safe School Declaration (SSD) - Bahir Dar

With the support of the Malala Fund, NEWA successfully conducted a regional-level capacity-building training on the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD) for government bureaus, women’s rights organizations (WROs), community-based organizations (CBOs), and civil society organizations (CSOs) on April 27, 2026, in the Amhara Region. The training was held at Unison Hotel in Bahir Dar.

A total of 36 participants (Female: 14, Male: 22) from Dessie and Bahir Dar attended the training, which aimed to strengthen the capacity of key stakeholders to effectively implement, monitor, and advocate for the Safe Schools Declaration, ensuring safe and inclusive learning environments for all.

The training was officially opened by W/ro Saba Gebremedhin, Executive Director of NEWA, who delivered meaningful opening remarks emphasizing the importance of protecting education, particularly for girls in conflict-affected settings.

Throughout the sessions, participants actively shared experiences and engaged in discussions on strategies to advocate for the endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration in Ethiopia. Special emphasis was placed on the importance of collaboration and coordination among stakeholders to advance this agenda.

In addition, a regional coalition group was established in the Amhara Region. The coalition consists of 15 members, including representatives from the regional government bureaus, Bahir Dar University, and various CSOs, WROs, and CBOs. The establishment of the coalition aims to strengthen coordination among stakeholders and advocate for the Ethiopian government to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration at the national level.