Models, Strategies and Best Practices on Women Empowerment

Models, Strategies and best practices On Women Empowerment

2016

Editorial Team Conor Molloy, CST Country Representative Mengistu Gonsamo, Civil Society Programme Coordinator Mulumebet Alula, Civil Society Programme Officer Samson Haileyesus, Communication Officer Photos and layout: Samson Haileyesus Cover photos: Young girls at an ela, a water well in Borana Address: CAFOD / SCIAF / Trรณcaire P O Box 1875, Addis Ababa, Gulele Subcity, Swaziland Street, Enqulal Fabrika, Ethiopian Catholic Bishops Conference Centre Tel: +251-(0)11-278-8843/44/45 Fax: +251-(0)11-278-8846 Email: reception@cst-together.org Website: www.trocaire.org / www.cafod.org.uk / www.sciaf.org.uk

Foreword

Women empowerment is an important pillar within the work of CAFOD, SCIAF and TrĂłcaire (CST) Ethiopia programme highlighting the need to mainstream gender to promote the active participation of women on socio-economic issues affecting their life.

Very often women face widespread discrimination ranging from household, community and public at large. In particular, biased formal and informal structures against women, widespread harmful traditional practices, gender based violence, domestic workload, lack of access and opportunity to education greatly undermine women’s ability to participate in the socio-economic settings.

This booklet attempts to highlight promising strategies and lessons learnt from the women empowerment work of CST and its partners in Ethiopia. In this booklet, we offer our insights from our projects on what works well to empower women and girls.

As the title suggests, a key insight is that we must take a holistic approaches to women empowerment such as economic, social and engaging formal and informal structures – in order to achieve our objectives.

This booklet provides a glimpse of CST and its partners working experience in regards to women empowerment. It does not claim to provide an exhaustive or definitive picture of the topic under discussion. Instead this booklet is an attempt to document some of our experiences as part of our learning and sharing schemes.

Profile of organisations CAFOD, SCIAF, TRÓCAIRE (CST) – Working Together in Ethiopia CAFOD, SCIAF and Trócaire (CST) represent the official relief and development agencies of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland respectively. In Ethiopia, the three agencies have been working since the mid-1970s on community development and humanitarian response.

The three agencies have aligned their works in Ethiopia since 2006.

CST works with more than 34 national church-based and non-faith based partner organizations in three regional states (Oromia, SNNPR and Tigray), and Addis Ababa City Administration. We together carry out livelihoods building, emergency response interventions, HIV and AIDS response, and building the capacity of civil society organizations.

HUNDEE HUNDEE (Oromo Grassroots Development Initiative) is a local NGO established in April 1995. It is registered with the Charities and Societies Agency (ChSA) as an Ethiopian resident charity. HUNDEE bases its work on indigenous knowledge and practices, which, paves ways for community to address their issues through locally agreed norms and practices.

HUNDEE’s mission is accompaniment of resource poor and marginalized community groups such as smallholder farmers, poor women; female headed households; orphans and vulnerable children; landless youth/ adolescent girls and others. HUNDEE supports their development to improve their livelihoods and to build resilient communities ultimately attaining social and economic transformation in the Oromia National Regional State.

Women Support Association (WSA) Women Support Association (WSA) is an indigenous non-political, non-religious, non-profit making humanitarian and development oriented organization working in Ethiopia to the improvement of the social, economic, and physical well-being of the poor women in particular and the community in general. WSA was established in 1995. It is registered and licensed with the Charities and Societies Agency (ChSA)as an Ethiopian Resident Charity.

Women in Self-Employment (WISE) Organization for Women in Self Employment (WISE) is an Ethiopian residents’ charity registered with the Charities and Societies Agency (ChSA) in August 1997 and commenced its full programme operations in January1998.

WISE has been working with poor self-employed women and girls in their efforts to achieve self-reliance and improve the quality of their lives. The major focus areas have been the economic and social empowerment of women and girls and thus, the improvement of their position and condition in society.

Although it focuses on the economic empowerment of women micro enterprise operators,the interventions are equally appropriate to men and women farmers and vulnerable groups.

Currently, WISE focuses its programme attention on 48 Woredas within seven sub-cities of Addis Ababa namely; Kirkos, Nefas-Silk-Lafto, Akaki-Kaliti, Addis Ketema, Kolfe-Keranio, Gulele and Yeka.

Timret Lehiwot Ethiopia Timret Lehiwot Ethiopia (TLH-Ethiopia) is a non-profit, nongovernmental organization established in June 2004. It is registered and licensed with the Charities and Societies Agency (ChSA) as an Ethiopian Resident Charity.

TLH-Ethiopia is undertaking number of tasks to fulfil the vision of bringing socio economic advancement in Ethiopia through various empowerment programmes.

Its mission is to address the prevention of HIV and AIDS and mitigate its socio-economic impacts among people living with HIV and AIDS; Most-at-Risk populations and powerless citizens through peer education; social marketing; care and support; Referral Networking; Capacity Building; and Income Generating Activity (IGA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Table of contents 1. Ensuring women empowerment village by village .........................................1 2. Enhancing the Social and Economic Empowerment of Women..................10 3. Empowering Women: Fostering Entrepreneurship .....................................18 4. Handicrafts and Employment Generation for Vulnerable Women................25

List of Acronyms AIDS ART BBS BCDs BDS CAG CBO CC CEWs CLA CPM ETB FGD GBV HIV HTP IGA LCEWs NGO SACCO SHG STI VCT WCYAO WORTH

Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome Anti Retro Viral Therapy Basic business Skills Behavioural Change Deliberation sessions Business Development sessions Community Actions Groups Community Based Organization Community conversion Community Extension Workers Cluster level Association Community Pledge making Ethiopian Birr Focus Group Discussion Gender Based Violence Human Immune Virus Harm Full Traditional Practices Income Generating Activity Lead Community Extension Workers Non-Governmental Organization Savings and Credit Cooperative Self-help Groups Sexually Transmitted Infections Voluntary Counselling and Testing Women, Children and Youth Affairs Office Women Owning Resources Together

ENSURING WOMEN EMPOWERMENT VILLAGE

BY VILLAGE

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It is increasingly recognized that according women more participation in decision making both at the household and community levels demands a broad and sustained effort to promote social change at all levels - from national policies and institutions to community-level support networks and norms, and individual attitudes and behaviours. The capacity to convene and mobilize stakeholders and coalitions across sectors, government and civil society, is critical to galvanizing the social change needed to raise the level of women empowerment.

“Women in Self Help (WISH) Project,” is one of the key projects of Civil Society Development Programme (CSDP) of CAFOD, SCIAF and Trōcaire (CST) and was implemented in partnership with HUNDEE from October 2012 onwards. The project was first funded by UKAid Match Fund and implemented in 30 kebeles in three woredas of West Shewa Zone, Oromia Region.

The aim of the project was to achieve greater gender equality and reduce harmful traditional practices through the empowerment of women at household and community levels. The project had two major strategies: 1. Supporting women’s self-help groups, and 2. Established community conversation forums by engaging with the wider community In addition the project was designed to achieve three key outcomes:

1. To increase the level of confidence amongst women to assert their equality,

2. To increase awareness and application of gender equality amongst the targeted community

structures

3. Increase the economic empowerment of women in the targeted areas.

The WISH Project works according to a step-by step strategy of social and economic empowerment that includes: 1. Selection of Moderators and Change Agents 2. Facilitation of Behavioural Change Deliberation Sessions (BCDs) 3. Facilitation of Pledge Making Ceremonies 4. Facilitation of Community Conversation (CC) Sessions 5. Organizing Women into Self Help Groups (Women Groups) and Capacity Building Support

o Identifying Moderators and Change Agents: as part of ensuring community participation and ownership, 60 modWELL-BEING (welfare outcomes) erators (30 women; 30 men) representing all 30 target kebeles • Health, nutrition, (villages) were selected on the basis of their assertiveness; comincome, life span munity acceptability and exemplary practices to serve their WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT (able to make strategic life choices) respective communities.

Activities Gender sensitisation discussion sessions were conducted for both men and women to openly discuss the issues and discrimination

• Self-confidence and self-efficacy • Access to and control over household resources and life events • Access to employment and income

GENDER EQUALITY (shifts in institutions, norms, power relations) • Societal shifts in control • Changes in labor force structures, economic systems • Shifts in marriage, family functions, roles, power relations • Changes in political systems

FROM WELL-BEING TO EMPOWERMENT TO GENDER EQUALITY

3 Out come They were trained on concepts of women empowerment and facilitation skills. Following the training, the moderators facilitated behavioural change deliberation sessions with 720 (360 women; 360 men) change agents representing all 30 target kebeles. Each moderator conducted eight sessions of behaviour change deliberations in each locality/kebele. In these sessions, the major challenges women faced and their root causes were identified. In turn, the change agents were responsible for cascading the training to community members in their respective localities/kebeles .

Change agents during bi-anual review and reflection sessions

o Facilitation of Behavioural Change Deliberation Sessions (BCDs): Subsequently, the change

agents facilitated behavioural change deliberation dialogues in their sub localities for 8,640 community members (4320 women) in 360 sub localities of 30 kebeles.

Activities The change agents had facilitated the identification of harmful customary practices and gender based violence issues. In which issues such as Female Genital Mutilation, abduction, domestic violence as well as issues related to women’s access and control over assets, were identified to mention a few.

Outcome The respective communities have reached on consensus on priority issues affecting women and children to be presented before customary leaders locally known as Aba Gedas.

o Facilitation of Pledge Making Ceremonies: The purpose of the pledge making ceremonies was

to introduce locally agreed changes to existing cultural or social behaviours which are considered to be harmful to women and children.

Community Elders Reciting the Customary Law

4 Activities: During the pledge making ceremonies, moderators and change agents presented priority issues identified by the communities (women/men) as harmful to women and children to customary leaders composed of community elders and Abba Gadas for pledge making.

Outcomes: 30 pledge making sessions were organized in which 11,230 community members (4,960 women) participated. The senior elders and Aba Gadas then presented these issues to the wider community and consensus among the community was reached. Finally, upon the consensus of wider community on priority issues, bylaws were established. As a symbol of officially endorsing the new bylaws, the ritual of slaughtering a bull was performed. This ritual symbolises the acceptance of the new bylaws by the wider community and their commitment to be governed by them.

o Facilitation of Community Conversation (CC) Sessions: Following the endorsement of

customary laws, monthly community conversation kicked off in all 30 target kebeles whereby

80-100 people (50% women) participated.

Activities: The main aim of the community conversations was to monitor the implementation of the ruling passed by elders and also to create forums for wider community discussions and act upon persistent harmful practices affecting women and children. Moreover, communities in each locality would prioritize and act upon issues of urgency as prioritized by women. The sessions were facilitated by change agents and moderators.

Outcomes: Regular bi-annual change agents’ reviews and reflection sessions have been conducted to take stock of the successes and challenges of the project and share experiences among and between the target kebeles.

Level of awareness amongst women of their equality Source: Field Survey through Group Gender Knowledge/Attitude Tool by Evaluation Team, 2015

o Organizing Women into Self Help Groups (Women Groups) and Capacity Building Support:

Activities: The project has established 24 new women groups and also capacitated existing 59 groups through training, facilitating dialogues, and providing revolving loan fund making the total self-help groups supported to reach 83 Outcomes: Each member of self-help groups have participated in weekly meetings in which they mobilize savings and also discussed any social or harmful practices affecting them which they subsequently forwarded to customary leaders and also presented at the community conversation events for further action. The project has also provided a revolving loan of Birr 2,000 per women from which 1,760 women have benefited. In total, Birr 3,520,000 has been distributed through the revolving loan scheme. On the business interest of beneficiary women, the majority of them are engaged in sheep fattening and the remaining are involved in petty trade.

5 To build the capacity of women, various capacity building activities have been conducted including training on business skills, market linkages, sheep fattening as well as experience sharing.

Some of the beneficiaries disbursing loan

Beneficiaries with their fattened sheep

Lessons Learnt The project has learned a number of lessons which can be further consolidated and strengthened in the future: The following are highlights of key lessons learned: 1. Use of Economic entry points: the main aim of this project was to enhance women’s confidence and participation. To achieve this objective, women were organized into Self Help Groups (SHGs) and varied capacity building strategies were employed to ensure the empowerment of women. As reported by various SHGs, using economic entry point was indispensable for the success of the project.

First, it helped them address important economic issues to fulfil their daily needs. Second, it has received support from their husbands and also helped them claim other household assets. It has also created an opportunity for women to come together, regularly discuss their issues, learn from one another and jointly face challenges affecting their members. For example, SHG in Jeldu Woreda, Chilanko kebele indicated that they are contributing 0.25 cents regularly (on top of their regular savings) to support victims of gender based violence.

Moreover, accessing economic assets, which is fully controlled by women has given them confidence to exercise /claim their rights and effectively participate in traditionally male dominated structures such as

kebele council, kebele women affairs office, kebele militia, leading local committees, etc, and also increased their voice on decisions in other household assets .

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Overall, the economic entry point has changed the traditional views among the community (women/men)that whenever women participated in any meeting, it was considered to be futile (not considering their multiple roles at the household level). Women’s skills (both at business and leadership) are now valued by women themselves, their husbands and wider community. It has created awareness on women on their rights.

2. Community mobilization strategies: Both women and men have represented in equal numbers in all stages of project implementation.

For example, the whole community was mobilized using volunteers from the community (women and men) based on their assertiveness and acceptance from the community members.

This has two major advantages: first, their acceptance in the community was great; second, their familiarity with women issues and their commitment on the issues has added greater value on the effectiveness of the project. Moreover, the project implementation process has enhanced the culture of volunteerism among community manifested by the greater roles played by change agents and moderators (who are not paid by the project but played central role in the implementation of the project). The project implementation process has also created awareness among men and therefore, resistance to women empowerment was greatly minimized. This has further opened up opportunities for women to deal with household issues with their husbands. In this regard, forums such as pledge making and community conversation have played pivotal roles in changing attitudes of men.

7 Shared decision making has improved my family’s relationship Dawi Diribe, age 40 lives in Arera village with her two sons Hirko (9), Ajema (7) and her husband Gabisa Bedhasa, age 50. She is a member of Bikiltu self-help group. Her group has 32 female members.

They set up their group – Bikiltu (seedling) with the support from CST and Hundee . The project focused on increasing women’s confidence to attain their equality in their own community, and working with their community structures to make aware and help achieve equality between men and women.

Dawi’s community is a male dominated society. Men decide on family issues and assets. “I didn’t have any knowledge that women can have equal ownership rights over family assets. This is what we learn from our parents, and it had been like this for generations. My family’s decisions and issues were all in the hands of my husband. He used to rent out farmland without consulting with me. He had full power by himself to decide on family assets. Even I wouldn’t ask him why he would rent out and where he was spending money. Women were not allowed to ask their husbands these sorts of questions”, says Dawi.

Dawi and her group members first received training on the challenges of women and girls in their community, and what needs to be done to tackle them.

“We first identified deep-rooted cultural and traditional practices that affect women and girls the most. Among them are violence against women, beatings, rape, unequal access to family assets, male dominance, female genital mutilation, abduction, and polygamy,” Dawi explains.

“We learnt how these practices affect women and how they need to be improved. After I received the training, I trained another 12 women in my village, and mobilized the community for pledge making ceremony – where the community came together and made pledges or promises to put into practice what we learnt and say no to violence against women and to the harmful traditional practices.

“I play an important role in taking care of my household chores and building family assets. I have been excluded from controlling these assets. When my role in my family is quite visible, I don’t know why I was excluded from decisions on family assets and family issues.

“After the training a lot has changed in my family. My husband also participates in men’s training and is supportive of my participation. We are changing together without arguments.

We both didn’t have awareness about the importance of equal decision making in our family.

If we have an issue now, we put it on the table for discussion and shared decision.

8 “My husband didn’t use to fetch water and prepare firewood for cooking – it was considered women’s job. Now he helps me with fetching water to water our garden and with preparing firewood.

“I save some money with my self-help group. I received some money to start sheep fattening, and small grain trade. I make significant contribution for our children’s education and family food. I learnt this business skill since I joined my group. My lifeline relies more on this business than farming. Because of this, too my husband’s attitude and respect for me has changed.

“Today I have equal privilege and make decision equally with my husband. My family issues are decided together based on mutual understanding and agreement. This shared decision making has improved my family relationship. This has helped us to use our resources efficiently.”

3. Building on Existing Cultural Values and Practices: addressing harmful traditional practices and gender based violence is impossible without engaging customary leaders, building on positive cultural practices and employing locally agreed bylaws. Accordingly, the role of customary leaders was found to be crucial. Priority issues affecting women were identified with full participation of target women in project areas. The pledge making ceremony was a major milestone to ensure ownership and leadership role at community level. It has created the first open forum among community members (women, men, customary leaders) to openly raise all harmful traditional practices andgender based violence, many of which were considered taboos to be raised in such public forums before.

Eventually, the pledge making ceremony was culminated by enacting bylaws, which govern the community. Any violation of this bylaw was punishable through locally agreed sanctions and also includes elements of reporting the case to law enforcement agencies in case of any resistance to local sanctions. An important element here is the role of customary leaders was their commitment to refrain from biased mediation role in resolving spousal conflicts including issues related to asset ownership by women.

9 The language has changed: from ‘go and do the job’ to ‘let us do this job together’ Ergibe Merga (47) lives in Awashbole community with her 8 children and her husband Kumsa Eka (48). She is a member of Gudina (growth)self-help group.

Ergibe is a change agent in her community. After she received training, she became a trainer in her community. She has 12 women in her village that she has been training.

“I am happy that my villagers accept my teaching. First I tried to put my training into practice in my own family, so that I can be a model for the women I train. Most of my works are successful as they accept my teaching, but still there are challenges that women resist my teaching because they are afraid of their husbands.

“In our group – we have a bylaw that we all are aware of. If a woman is abused, she knows where to go and report. She comes to our group and explains her problem. If it is something that we can resolve together, we try to resolve it. If it is serious, we immediately take the case to a local government body to handle it legally. But we haven’t had many cases of this type that proceed to legal body as people are changing because of training and pledge making – a traditional event where the whole communities come together and promise to abide by the decisions passed on by traditional and religious leaders.

“We also mobilize local people to be a part of the pledge making ceremony—which is called tummaata. It is a traditional event in which the local community, traditional community leaders (Aba Gadas), and government leadership come together and decide on some community issues. The decisions passed on this event are respected. We made some agendas for this year’s tummaata, and these are stopping violence against women, polygamy and female genital mutilation; and supporting equality between men and women, and women’s right over family assets.

“The women I train have now very confident to participate and speak their issues on public meeting. Before, it was unlikely for women to be a part of public meeting, and even if they participate they were not able to reflect their views and issues. Today women have respect in their community and relieved from abuses and claimed their rights in their own family and community.

“In my own family, a lot has improved. My husband also participates in Hundee training. We talk our issues during coffee time in the evening. We understand each other and he is supportive of my training and my role in family issues and decisions.

“Since started participating in this training, the language we say to one another has changed. My husband used to instruct me ‘go and do this job’ but now he uses a different language: ‘let us do this job together’ “We manage our family and assets together. I have equal right to decide on my family asset and issues.

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Enhancing the Social and Economic Empowerment of Women

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11 Women Support Association (WSA) has been working in partnership with CST directly benefiting about 2,167 (F = 1895 M= 272) through a project titled enhancing the Social and Economic Empowerment of Women in Jinka Administrative Town and Maale District of South Omo Zone, Sothern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region, since 2013.

WSA has proven expertise in organizing and mobilizing women, girls and the wider communities to address the gender based violence against women and girls, ensure access and control of assets by women and enhancing leadership and decision making capacity of women both at household and community levels. With the aim of enhancing women and girls confidence and capacity to respond to all forms of harmful traditional practices and assert their rightly roles within the community, The project envisions to increase confidence and capacity of women to respond to all forms of Gender Based Violence and assert their rights in Malle and Jinka town The following steps were employed towards meeting the project objectives:

1.

Establishing and Strengthening SHGs

2.

Conduct weekly meeting and family dialogue among SHG members

3.

Establishing and Strengthening Community Action Groups (CAGs)

4.

Conduct Community Conversation (CCC)

5.

Provide Capacity Building Support

o

Establishing and Strengthening SHGs

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Women mobilised in Self Help Groups (SHG) have developed confidence, awareness, purpose, new skills, information, and knowledge, and have become involved in social development activities and simple income generating programmes Activities: A total of 80 vibrant women groups (SHGs) representing 1600 women members established and strengthened providing the platform for women to develop economic activities; build self-confidence; establish relationships with external stakeholders; protect and advocate for women equality.

Whenever the group meets to save weekly, members discussed on socioeconomic matters of the community.

Each household members including husbands also gathered together to discuss on the prevalence of GBV cases at household level and on the possible GBV prevention mechanisms through family dialogue sessions on the basis of developed guideline.

o

Establishing and Strengthening Community Action Groups (CAGs) Activities: So far seven CAGs have been established and strengthened in each intervention kebeles consists of 7-9 representatives from clan /customary leaders, policy, religious leaders, CLAs, Health extension workers, Village administration. The group plays a watchdog role in monitoring, responding and creating awareness to the mass community regarding Gender Based Violence, HTP and gender inequality issues. Theses CAG receive reported cases by the community and handle some easy cases which are within their capacity and level of mandate and refer cases to courts and medical institutions which are beyond their capacity and mandate. Apart from Women through CLAs and CAGs enhance this, as the constituencies of CAGs are mostly from govtheir collective decisions ernment and community, they create linkage with higher officials to lobby and advocate for women rights and addressing their socio economic challenges.

o

Activities:

Conduct Community Conversation (CCC)

Community Conversation groups were established in each Kebele having 70 members to hold dialogues on various social, economic and development issues which affects their life and make decisions and actions accordingly. The community groups conducted CCCs for 2-3 hours every two weeks per month. Selected volunteer community facilitators facilitated the session after receiving training on CC facilitation skills following the developed guideline

o Capacity Building Activities: Through trainings, consultative workshop, stakeholders review meeting and intensive technical support, the project builds the capacity of the established group, local government sector to ensure the sustainability of the existing change in the life of women and girls. Such kind of support and partnership also facilitated referral linkages, networking and coordination among and between stakeholders including the community.

13 My ultimate dream is to see all women benefit from such kind of credit mechanism and social bonds Tigist Admasu is a 30 years old, widow and mother of three (two boys and a girl). “I got married and moved to Jinka town Arkisha kebele dropping out of school at 9th grade. Our livelihood was dependant up on my husband’s income who was a teacher. Since my husband passed away, supporting my family fell on my shoulder. I started to sell local drinks to the community to get income good enough to send my children to school.

I clearly remember how it was difficult to get loan from people whenever I needed money. But, it’s always difficult to repay. I even started to participate in 1 to 5 cell group with fellow women in microfinance saving scheme in my Kebele.

That didn’t help much to satisfy my needs let alone expand my income.”

“While I was serving as head of kebele women and children affair in my community,WSA came and organized 20 of us in self-help groups which we named Hidasse (renaissance). We were selected on the basis of similar economic status, locality and gender. WSA provided us with bylaws, assigned facilitators and I was elected as the group secretary. I started saving whatever I have at hand and never ceased to save every week. I started saving 10 to 15 birr each week in the group.

We have received training on the issue of saving. We improved our saving culture and built strong social capital among us. WSA’s support has never stopped through the community extension worker who is with us every week and in every step of the way. With this knowledge, at first, I received 500 and later 1000 ETB loan from the group and with these I started injera selling business to locals besides expanding my business of selling local drink. I flourished!

Recently, I have accessed credit up to ETB 1500 and jumped off to a new business of restaurant with other four women from our group with the support of the district women and children affair office of the . Recently, we received 5700 ETB for the restaurant and we started the business following the provision of space in the administration compound. We also serve refreshments during government meetings and other meetings.

“Life is so beautiful. I used to be sick all the time due to ulcer. But now I am happy and healthy. My children are at a good place and I am more determined to help them further their education. Our group’s capital has reached around 15,200 ETB but since our business skills are enhancing, our demand for credit is increasing from time to time. So, more access to credit is what I hope for my group. I would like to thank you for every support you provided us; we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for your support. We are really grateful!!!”

14 I often wonder with my husband that what if this project had started earlier, where our life would be by now?

Amarech Beyene is 24 years old and is married with three boys. Amarech dropped out of school after 7th grade as she got married early. Amarech as most of the married women in area, her income was dependant on her husband sole income from daily labour and she used to contribute a little from selling local drinks. Two years ago, shegot selected by the kebele and WSA for self-help group scheme with other 17 women from her neighbourhood and living in similar poverty level.

“My group’s name is Edma Tote meaning let’s be human. I started with saving 2 birr weekly and more depending on what I had at the time. My husband did not understand at first and was very much resistant. As the saving grew and I started getting loans, he became interested and got him to participate in the family dialogue. He was very appreciative and even started to help me save. He even give me money to save sometimes in addition to what I have.

“My husband was out of work and we were dependant on my income alone when I took my first loan from the group (500 birr), that. It was a very difficult time and we even had little to eat. With the loan I received, I bought more ingredients for the local drink I make and with the rest I bought school supplies and clothes for my children as the school was opening. After I repaid this loan, I took another 800 ETB and started expanding to a new business of baking bread and Injera. I recently took 2000 ETB and used it to expand my business more. I also refurnished my house and rent it out as an additional source of income.”

Amarech argue that her group is serving its purpose by stating: “we exercise leadership within the group. For instance, I am serving as secretary for the group and document our weekly meetings. We reconcile quarrelled couples and we provide counselling service when these type of cases arise. If not solved at group level, we bring it to the Cluster Level Association (CLA).

We have not faced any challenge that required other higher authorities to involve so far. If so, we certainly will. I don’t remember having faced challenges from accused men but they often ignore our invitation to discuss matters. We persuade them to come and discuss before going formal.

“I remember once one of our member who works as a daily labourer used to be abused by her husband. As her work schedule did not go along with our saving time, we arranged special favour for her. But he kept abusing her. We called and counselled him yet he keeps attacking her. After unsuccessful multiple attempts to reconcile even involving elders, they got separated.

We supported the woman with whatever she needed and now she is living a better life and still continues to be a member.”

Not only in defined group but the project also involves the community through the community conversation held every two weeks to reach out to the wider community and effect changes in perception.

15 Amarech states: “Thanks to the support, polygamy is eliminated from our community. We have reached an agreement to put penalties on the perpetrators. What the project has done for me is hard to put it in words. If it was like before, I couldn’t even talk to you like this since I was raised to be very shy. Now, I speak publicly whatever I want to say. I resolve issues with discussion in my house. Let alone this, I even mediate reconciliation in the community. As the community is aware about our progresses, a lot of people come and ask me to help them form groups. The resistance is minimal now. The training I received so far and the awareness raising I participated in has helped me to become confident and assertive. I am appointed to lead the development group established in the kebele. I am learning a lot through the process that I would have missed out if I stayed home. Involving in the community life is enhancing my exposure and therefore enhanced my knowledge.”

“My personal saving has reached to ETB 1375 while the group is ETB 16, 218. I save 10 to 15 birr each week and I am planning to increase more. I desire to start a hotel and I hope to buy a suitable house for this. Through the group, we are thinking to start gardening and we have requested the kebele to provide us with land. We are also hoping to learn through adult literacy program and increase our understanding. We have requested the local government to support us in this. I am very grateful! I wonder with my husband often that if this project started earlier, where our life would be by now. Life is much better now than before. I am also in good terms with my husband. We support each other. He got his driving licence and has become a driver. On behalf of myself and my family, I would like to say ‘Thank you very much and I really appreciate your genuine support’, said Amarech.

Table 1: Family dialogue session’s participants (Midyear (January-June) 2016 report)

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Key Achievements:

Economic and leadership capacity of women to manage their saving groups is improving

l

70 groups constituting 1381 women were organized

l

l Weekly saving amount of women has increased

from 0.50 cents to 5 ETB

l Their amount of saving has reached ETB 683,289

l

1,346 women have accessed credit and 795 women

engaged in income generation activities such as petty trade, selling shoforo (local delicacy), and retailing cereals in the market

The responsiveness of government for women issues is improving l

17 308 women are exercising leadership within their SHGs and CLAs

l

l

During CC sessions the group members has Empowering started to discuss and put action points on issues Women: F such as polygamy, wife oppression, early marriage, and child labour

Key service providers commit in a sustainable manner to protect and support women from their socio economic problems

l

CAGs has started to provide financial support and referral linkage to victims of GBV and HTP

l

Government sector offices were made alert to respond to women issues – WCYAO and justice office has taken the coordinating role for such cases

l

l

the capacity of the community CBOs & schools built to mitigate & report incidences of socio economic problems of women and girls

l

Community understanding and reporting capacity on existing challenges affecting their lives is showing progress

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Fostering Entrepreneurship

Empowering Women: Fostering Entrepreneurship

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19 Organization for Women In Self-Employment (WISE) is a Partner of CST’s under Sustainable Livelihood Programme. The funded projects are mainly focused on creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods to the poorest women in Addis Ababa, while at the same time identifying those who have potential as entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas which can increase demand for Ethiopian goods and services.

Currently, WISE is implementing two projects.

1. To contribute to the sustainable livelihoods improvement of poor self-employed women and girls in Addis Ababa 2. To provide capacity building training to the staff of CST Partner Organizations on Business Development Services.

The project has targeted 3,800 direct women beneficiaries and 11,400 indirect beneficiaries (5,700 Female;5,700 Male) The following steps were employed towards meeting the project objectives: 1. Awareness raising programs were organized 2. Providing Basic Business Skills (BBS) training 3. Provision of business related, health related, leadership related and self-development trainings 4. Provision of Business Development Services (BDS)

o Awareness raising programs were organized

Outcome: These were organized with the objective of raising the awareness of women and girls in these areas on thebenefits of joining Saving and Credit Cooperatives. The programs helped them to see and be well aware of the available services in different financial institutions in their localities and bring new and additional sources of income for themselves and their families. It also helped them to know more about the Saving and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) scheme and to make them decide on their joining the newly established SACCOs or not.

o Providing Basic Business Skills (BBS) training

Outcome: After the awareness raising programs, those women who demonstrated interest to be members of the SACCOs started attending the BBS training. While the training was being conducted, those women who were interested to join the SACCOs got registered and started saving.

The established SACCOs have got their licence from the sub city cooperatives’ office. The members of theSACCOs are provided with financial and different kinds of technical and managerial supports so that theycould strengthen the services available in the SACCOs.

o Provision of business related, health related, leadership related and self-development trainings

Outcome: To further enhance their skills technical skills trainings in basic computer skills, Life Skills training, apparel making, Literacy and Numeracy, Leadership and Management, Saving and Credit Management and basic house-keeping were also provided for the target members as per their demands.

This was further bolstered with Health related trainings on basic health, food and nutrition, training on HIV/ AIDS and first aid.

20 Adding value to crafts

Yeshashwork Berhane, age 32 lives with her two daughters and husband in Addis Ababa. She is engaged in a small business of decorating clay crafts and selling to gift shops. She also buys and sells handmade cotton scarves, and ladies’ dresses.

WISE (Organization for Women in Self Employment), a partner organization supports women like Yeshashwork to create their own means of income. The women are helped to form a cooperative, and given skill training based on their choices.

The women rely on one another for inputs. Yeshashwork buys the clay crafts from other women who make the products, and she decorates with different colourful patters and sells for profit.

Yeshashwork says, “My cooperative gave me money that helped me to expand my business. Additionally, I received skill training on sewing clothes and embroidery. I am going to use this skill to expand my business. Initially I started with 2000 Birr loan from my cooperative, and my capital has grown to 8,000 Birr.�

Yeshashwork has a vision to diversify her items into traditional clothes and embroidery.

o Provision of Business Development Services (BDS)

Outcomes: While providing the services, the BDS providers advised the target members to manage their businesses based on their business plans, avoid unnecessary business expenses, further expand their businesses and frequently evaluate their businesses. They were also advised them on the advantages of promoting their businesses. The service providers also identified different problems such as lack of market places for some of the target members, business goods become expensive from time to time and shortage of capital for their

o Provision of business related, health related, leadership related and self-development trainings

Outcome: To further enhance their skills technical skills trainings in basic computer skills, Life Skills training, apparel making, Literacy and Numeracy, Leadership and Management, Saving and Credit Management and basic house-keeping were also provided for the target members as per their demands.

This was further bolstered with Health related trainings on basic health, food and nutrition, training on HIV/ AIDS and first aid.

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Achievements

o

Women actively engaged in key decision making processes

affecting their lives

 100% of the leadership positions in the established structures is acquired by the targeted women

 25 women are assigned in leadership positions of government structure after project intervention



Family members, both spouses, have changed the nature of their relationship and now started to feel as equal partners



144 SHG members undertook VCT testing and counselling

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Collectively decided to respond to all forms of violence against women in a sustainable manner reducing GBV incidences

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Collectively decided to respond to all forms of violence against women in a sustainable manner reducing GBV incidences

 CC group members decided to punish ETB 200 for members who showed reluctance from keeping information on polygamy



CC group members in Beneta declared early marriage as a legally punishable act.

 The women have discussed with the kebele administration and reaches into consensus to penalize violent individuals with ETB 500.00 by the social court when the incident happens.

o

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Women economic capacity enhanced 

642 women engaged in profitable IGAs by taking loan from their groups



1508 women saved 452,288.00 ETB and possess a capital of 531,760.00 ETB

o The capacity of the community based structures to mitigate and report incidences of GBV



CAG group supported 14 women victims to get medical attention, to get legal services, and counselling

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The CAG group at Arkisha closely follows the cases of eight-school girl children who stopped their education from 8th grade and undertake early marriage

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Arkisha kebele CAG supported temporarily food aid for 3 women who faced husband bullying; supported 4 children to rejoin their by expending ETB 1,200.00



One rape perpetrator penalized with ETB 2000.00 by woreda judges.

The victim who faced physical injury is supported with ETB 900.00 for medical & legal aid support.

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Market links transform women’s business into a higher level Worknesh Wade, aged 38 lives in ‘shiro meda area’ of Addis Ababa with her 5-year-old daughter and her husband – Sisay Senta.

Worknesh earns a living by weaving and making traditional clothes. She first learnt the skill from her brother-in-law in her hometown – Chencha.

Worknesh Wade, showing some of her products

She came to Addis after she dropped out of school to work and earn a living. She worked with her father for a while and later on started her own business – weaving traditional clothes.

“First it was difficult to find buyers,” says Worknesh. This discouraged her as she was not able to sell enough o support her family.

She became a beneficiary of WISE, in 2010 through a local government administration. WISE gave her training on business skill, making improved cloth designs, and creating market links with local buyers.

This enabled her to produce quality produces and find buyers for her produces. She was supported to participate in different bazaars and marketplaces – where Worknesh was able to find buyers and more clients for her produces. She makes and sells ladies’ dresses, scarves, and children outfits.

This market link helped her connect with big regular buyers, her market problem for her clothes has been resolved. “Finding buyers is not my problem at all now; my problem is to meet the demand of my buyers. To tackle this, I work with 10 women on commission basis to supply me with the produces.

I was able to create opportunity for 10 women. I trained two of them myself,” says Worknesh.

She received 10,000 Birr award from WISE for her innovative way of increasing her workforce and meeting the demand of her clients.

Worknesh received training for 7 months on outfit designing, business skill, and continuous advice and encouragement. She says, “I even send my products to USA through two women who sell traditional clothes there. I met them during a bazaar facilitated by WISE. WISE helped me a lot with connecting with potential buyers.”

24 Worknesh’s capital has grown to 70,000 Birr, and she was also able to construct her own house in her hometown. She is planning to construct her own shop where she will be able to sell her produces.

“My life has changed, I am highly motivated to move forward,” says Worknesh. “To keep up with the market need and taste, I have to think of new designs and quality, and keep up with the time.”

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Handicrafts and Employment Generation forVulnerable Women

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Recognizing the centrality of poverty alleviation to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets and HIV prevention, care and support, CST through the Socio -Economic empowerment project supports the training and provision of revenue sources for vulnerable women. Under this intervention vulnerable women and their families were empowered to establish income generating activities (IGA).

The empowerment included training in vocational skills, donation of equipment for their respective chosen vocations and take-off grant for each trainee.

The goal of this project is to reduce the incidence and impact of HIV and AIDS in the target communities of Gulele and Addis Ketema sub cities by the end of 2018.

The project has targeted to include between 5000-6000 direct beneficiaries and between 9000-10,000 indirect beneficiaries by the end of 2018.

The project focused on the Addis Ketema, Gullele sub cities and it will target poor women living with HIV. Especially focus will be given to those who are infected or affected by HIV and AIDS, single/widowed mothers of two or more children, and with no sustainable source of income.

The project has two pillars: 1. The promotion of healthy life style 2. The engagement of women living with HIV and their families in sustainable and profitable Income Generating Activity (IGA).

The following steps were employed towards meeting the project objectives:

1. Engage women living with HIV in sustainable Income generating Activity (IGA)

2. Women living with HIV will be trained in vocational skill in sewing, machine and hand embroidery and pottery

3. Training will be provided in business plan development and beneficiaries will be provided with technical support along with financial resources.

4. Provide peer educators training on HIV and AIDS,STI to beneficiaries

5. Refer beneficiaries for holistic support

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“ I am disabled and can’t walk out of my home. Thanks for my neighbor, a trainee of TLHE clay works training center, who trained me on her daily lessons, now I have golden hands that produce marketable artifacts.

Though I never got a chance to visit any training center, I am equally generating sustainable income to improve my life

Other Activities included

o

Engage women living with HIV in sustainable Income generating Activity (IGA)

Outcome:

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Poor women living with HIV engaged in profitable income generating activities and be able to generate sustainable income

o

230 Poor women living with HIV have increased knowledge in business management and vocational skills per year.

o

230 Poor women living with HIV have gained new collective mechanisms for saving and internal lending per year.

o

Women living with HIVrained in vocational skill in sewing, machine and hand em broidery and pottery

o

o

o Training provided in business plan development and beneficiaries will be provided with technical support along with financial resources.

Provide women living with HIV with access to finance and technical support

Outcome:

230 Poor women living with HIV have access to new financial resources per year

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“In 2001 when I knew my HIV positive status, I thought my earthly time come to an end. I quit baking lnjera in the neighborhood because of failing to cope with the stigma and discrimination.

After a decade of dark days, I joined TLHE’s clay training center in 2014 where I joined social support groups with HIV positive women. I am now generating sustainable income for me and for my family producing beautiful pottery products. The supplementary trainings on ART, adherence, nutrition and healthy life have contributed to my overall wellbeing.”

o

Provide women with business and vocational skills Outcome:

o Provide basic business and vocational skills training on pottery, sewing and embroidery for

230 poor women living with HIV.

o Provide a two days training peer educators training for 230 target women beneficiaries per year.

o Provide peer educators training on HIV and AIDS,STI to beneficiaries

Among the vocational skills provided to the women includes pottery

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Provide women with holisitc support and referral Outcome:

o Provide one supplementary training every month to beneficiaries based on their analysed needs

o (ART, hygiene and sanitation)

o Refer beneficiaries for holistic support

o work

PLHIV in need of HIV and health services will be referred using the existing referral net

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